Hadith #8381

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises Muslims about the importance of fulfilling their religious obligations, or the "faraidh," as opposed to engaging in optional acts of worship, or the "nawafil." The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Verily if you were to occupy yourself with meritorious supererogatory acts instead of fulfilling the obligatory ones, then the merit you acquire will never make up for the religious obligation that you have neglected.

To fully comprehend the depth and significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. The term "fada'il" refers to the meritorious acts of worship that are performed voluntarily, while "nawafil" specifically refers to the supererogatory acts. On the other hand, "faraidh" refers to the obligatory acts of worship that are prescribed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and are binding upon every Muslim.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us against neglecting our religious obligations in favor of engaging in optional acts of worship. While the merit and reward of performing supererogatory acts are undoubtedly great, they can never compensate for the neglect of obligatory acts. This is because fulfilling the obligations prescribed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the foundation of our faith and the primary means of attaining His pleasure.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of fulfilling our religious obligations. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 83:

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

This verse highlights the significance of establishing prayer, giving zakah, and fulfilling our duties towards our parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy. It serves as a reminder that neglecting these obligations is a betrayal of the covenant we have made with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Another verse that emphasizes the importance of fulfilling obligations is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 89:

Allah does not impose blame upon you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He imposes blame upon you for what your hearts have earned. And Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.

This verse reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not hold us accountable for unintentional mistakes or oaths, but He does hold us accountable for the intentions of our hearts. Neglecting our obligations intentionally is a grave sin and can lead to the displeasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we realize that it serves as a reminder for us to prioritize our religious obligations over optional acts of worship. While engaging in supererogatory acts is commendable and earns us additional rewards, neglecting our obligations can have severe consequences. It is essential to strike a balance between fulfilling our obligations and engaging in voluntary acts, ensuring that we do not neglect the foundation of our faith.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of fulfilling our religious obligations, as they form the core of our faith. While engaging in optional acts of worship is praiseworthy, neglecting our obligations can never be compensated for by the merits of these voluntary acts. Let us strive to prioritize our obligations and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) by fulfilling them diligently. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the straight path and enable us to fulfill our obligations with sincerity and devotion.