Hadith #1279

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

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

The faith of a man is deduced by his submission and obedience [to Allah].

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking saying and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. The word (Iman) "إيمان" refers to faith or belief in Allah and His teachings. It encompasses both the belief in the heart and the actions that manifest this belief. (Tasleem) "التسليم" means submission or surrendering oneself completely to the will of Allah. It implies accepting and obeying His commands without hesitation or resistance. (Taa'ah) "الطاعة" refers to obedience, specifically obedience to Allah's commands as revealed in the Quran and through the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

To comprehend the significance of submission and obedience in determining one's faith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of submission and obedience in various verses. For instance, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:208), Allah says,

O you who have believed, enter into peace completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

This verse highlights the need for complete submission to Allah's guidance and warns against following the temptations of Satan.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran (3:31), Allah commands,

Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'

Here, Allah emphasizes the correlation between love for Him and obedience to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This demonstrates that true faith is not merely a matter of belief in the heart, but it is also reflected in one's actions and obedience to Allah's commands.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the inseparable connection between faith and obedience. It implies that true faith is not limited to mere verbal affirmations, but it is manifested through one's submission to Allah and adherence to His commands. This submission and obedience are not restricted to specific acts of worship but encompass all aspects of life. It includes fulfilling one's obligations towards Allah, such as performing the obligatory prayers, fasting, giving charity, and pilgrimage, as well as adhering to the moral and ethical teachings of Islam.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder that faith is not a stagnant state but a dynamic process that requires continuous effort and improvement. It implies that the strength of one's faith can be measured by the extent of their submission and obedience to Allah. The more one submits to Allah's will and obeys His commands, the stronger their faith becomes.

The consequences of embodying this Hadith are profound. When a Muslim truly submits to Allah and obeys His commands, they attain a state of tranquility and inner peace. They experience a deep connection with their Creator and find solace in knowing that they are fulfilling their purpose in life. Additionally, their actions become a reflection of their faith, and they become a source of inspiration and guidance for others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the significance of submission and obedience in determining the strength of one's faith. It reminds us that true faith is not limited to mere belief but is reflected in our actions and obedience to Allah's commands. By submitting ourselves completely to Allah and obeying His teachings, we can attain a higher level of faith and experience the true essence of Islam. May Allah grant us the ability to submit to Him wholeheartedly and strengthen our faith through our obedience.