Hadith #6360

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

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the inseparable connection between one's outward actions and their inward state. He states,

For every exterior there is a hidden interior that is like it, so one who’s exterior is good his interior is also good, and whoever has a bad exterior has a bad interior.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this hadith to gain a comprehensive understanding. The word (zahir) "ظاهِر" refers to the outward appearance or manifestation of a person's actions, while (batin) "باطِن" refers to the hidden or inner state of a person. The word (taba) "طابَ" means goodness or purity, and (khabutha) "خَبُثَ" means evil or impurity.

To support the exegesis of this hadith, we can 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 nobility and righteousness lie in one's inner state, not in their external appearance or social status. It aligns with the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the hadith, where he emphasizes the importance of the inner state being in accordance with the outward actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse emphasizes that true righteousness is not merely performing outward acts of worship, but it encompasses a holistic approach to life. It includes fulfilling one's obligations towards Allah and His creation, as well as maintaining patience and perseverance in times of difficulty. This aligns with the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the hadith, where he highlights the correlation between the exterior and interior states of a person.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that a person's outward actions are a reflection of their inner state. If one's exterior is good, meaning their actions are righteous and virtuous, it is indicative of a pure and virtuous interior. Conversely, if one's exterior is bad, meaning their actions are sinful or immoral, it is a sign of a corrupt and impure interior.

This hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for consistency between their outward actions and their inner state. It encourages us to purify our hearts and intentions, ensuring that our actions are sincere and in accordance with the teachings of Islam. It reminds us that true righteousness lies in aligning our exterior and interior, and that our actions should be a reflection of our inner faith and values.

In conclusion, this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the inseparable connection between one's outward actions and their inner state. It reminds us that our exterior and interior should be in harmony, and that true righteousness lies in aligning our actions with our inner faith. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to purify our hearts and grant us the ability to manifest our inner goodness in our outward actions.