Hadith #1289

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

A believer is one whose love is for [the sake of] Allah, whose hate is for Allah, whose taking is for Allah and whose leaving is for Allah.

This enlightening Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the essence of true faith and the qualities that a believer should possess.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. The word (hubbuhu) "حُبُّه" means love, (bughduhu) "بُغْضُه" means hate, (akhduhu) "أخذُه" means taking, and (tarquhu) "تَرْكُهُ" means leaving. These words emphasize the actions and intentions of a believer, which should be solely for the sake of Allah.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 165,

And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.

This verse highlights the importance of directing our love solely towards Allah. A true believer's love is centered around Allah, and any love for other than Allah is secondary.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mujadila, verse 22, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred.

This verse emphasizes that a believer's hate should be directed towards those who oppose Allah and His Messenger. A true believer's hate is for the sake of Allah, and they do not harbor any affection for those who go against the teachings of Islam.

The words "taking" and "leaving" in the Hadith refer to the actions and choices a believer makes in their life. A believer's taking should be for the sake of Allah, meaning that they should strive to acquire what is permissible and beneficial in accordance with the teachings of Islam. Similarly, a believer's leaving should also be for the sake of Allah, meaning that they should abstain from what is forbidden or harmful.

This Hadith teaches us that a true believer's actions, emotions, and intentions are all centered around Allah. Their love, hate, taking, and leaving are all motivated by their devotion to Allah. This impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their intentions and align them with the pleasure of Allah.

By embodying the qualities mentioned in this Hadith, a believer can attain a higher level of faith and strengthen their relationship with Allah. Their love for Allah will surpass any worldly attachments, their hate will be solely for the sake of Allah, their actions will be guided by the teachings of Islam, and their choices will be made with the intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of directing our love, hate, taking, and leaving towards Allah. It serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their intentions and align them with the pleasure of Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to embody these qualities and strengthen our faith.