Hadith #960

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ كانَتْ هِمَّتُهُ ما يَدْخُلُ بَطْنَهُ كانَتْ قيمَتُهُ ما يَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ۔

This powerful statement highlights the importance of one's intentions and efforts in determining their true value and worth in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. The word (himma) "هِمَّةُ" refers to one's aspirations, ambitions, or goals. It encompasses the driving force behind one's actions and the level of dedication they possess. (ma yadkhulu batnahu) "مَا يَدْخُلُ بَطْنَهُ" refers to the material possessions or worldly gains that one acquires, which ultimately satisfy their physical needs. On the other hand, (ma yakhruju minhu) "مَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ" refers to the deeds and actions that emanate from an individual, reflecting their character, values, and moral conduct.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that true value and nobility lie not in one's material possessions or social status, but in their righteousness and piety. It is the purity of one's heart, their sincerity in worship, and their adherence to moral principles that truly elevate their worth in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking Allah's guidance and support in all our endeavors. It reminds us to strive for consistency and steadfastness in our actions, ensuring that our intentions and efforts are aligned with the teachings of Islam. When our focus is solely on worldly gains, our value diminishes, but when our intentions are pure and our actions are righteous, our worth increases in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their intentions and the purpose behind their actions. It urges us to prioritize the spiritual and moral aspects of our lives over materialistic pursuits. When our aspirations are centered around pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure, our actions become a means of elevating our souls and attaining nearness to Him.

For example, if a person's sole focus is on accumulating wealth and possessions, their value is limited to the material possessions they acquire. However, if their efforts are directed towards acts of charity, helping the needy, and contributing to the betterment of society, their value transcends the material realm. Their worth is measured by the positive impact they have on others and the reward they receive from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for their righteous deeds.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their intentions and the purpose behind their actions. It emphasizes that true value lies not in material possessions, but in the righteousness and piety of an individual. By aligning our aspirations and efforts with the teachings of Islam, seeking Allah's guidance, and prioritizing the spiritual and moral aspects of our lives, we can elevate our worth and attain nearness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives.