Hadith #1760

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "لاتَحْصُلُ الجَنَّةُ بِالتَّمَنّي۔" This Hadith can be translated as,

Paradise is not achieved [simply] by wishing for it.

In this Hadith, there are two important words that require our attention. The first word is (al-Jannah) "الجَنَّةُ", which means Paradise or Heaven. It refers to the eternal abode of bliss and happiness that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has promised to the righteous believers in the Hereafter. The second word is (at-tamanni) "التَّمَنّي", which means wishing or desiring. It signifies having a mere wish or hope without any effort or action.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This Quranic verse emphasizes the importance of not only having faith but also performing righteous deeds. It teaches us that salvation and attaining Paradise require more than just mere wishes or desires. It requires sincere belief in Allah, coupled with righteous actions and good deeds.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:25), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow.

This verse highlights the connection between belief and righteous actions, as both are necessary for attaining the gardens of Paradise.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to all Muslims that simply wishing for Paradise is not enough. We must strive and exert effort in performing righteous deeds and following the teachings of Islam. Our actions should reflect our belief and should be in accordance with the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

If we were to rely solely on our wishes and desires without taking any action, we would be neglecting the responsibilities and obligations that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has placed upon us. Our faith should manifest in our daily lives through acts of worship, kindness, charity, and seeking knowledge.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and he understood the importance of action in attaining Paradise. He was known for his piety, righteousness, and his unwavering commitment to the teachings of Islam. His life serves as a shining example for all Muslims, reminding us that true success lies in combining faith with action.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that Paradise cannot be achieved merely by wishing for it. It requires sincere belief in Allah, coupled with righteous actions and good deeds. We must strive to embody the teachings of Islam in our daily lives and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) through our actions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to follow the path of righteousness and attain the eternal bliss of Paradise.