Hadith #11176

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

لايَهْلِكُ عَلَى التَّقْوى سِنْخُ أصْل، ولايَظْمَأُ عَلَيْها زَرْعٌ۔

This impactful saying emphasizes the everlasting nature of God-wariness (taqwa) and its ability to sustain and nourish all that is built upon it.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. (taqwa) "التَّقْوى" refers to the consciousness and fear of Allah, which leads to righteous actions and the avoidance of sins. It is a comprehensive concept that encompasses piety, mindfulness, and awareness of Allah's presence in all aspects of life. (sinh) "سِنْخُ" means the root or foundation, indicating that taqwa is the fundamental basis upon which everything else is built. (zara') "زَرْعٌ" refers to a plant, symbolizing the growth and flourishing that occurs when rooted in taqwa.

To understand the depth and significance of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran, which provides numerous verses that support its message. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Ibrahim (14:27):

Allah confirms those who believe with the firm word in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allah does what He wills.

This verse highlights the strength and stability that comes with taqwa, as it confirms the believers and protects them from straying into wrongdoing. It is through taqwa that one finds guidance and remains steadfast on the straight path.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hajj (22:54), Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the divine guidance that is bestowed upon those who strive for Allah's sake. Taqwa is the driving force behind this striving, as it fuels one's determination to seek Allah's pleasure and follow His commands. With taqwa as the foundation, one's efforts are blessed and guided by Allah.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that taqwa is not a fleeting or temporary state. It is a constant and unwavering commitment to righteousness, which ensures that one is never destroyed or uprooted. Just as a plant remains nourished and never thirsts when rooted in fertile soil, so too does one's faith and actions flourish when grounded in taqwa.

The consequences of embodying taqwa are far-reaching. It leads to a life of righteousness, piety, and moral excellence. It protects one from the pitfalls of sin and guides them towards fulfilling their obligations to Allah and their fellow human beings. Taqwa instills a sense of accountability and consciousness in every action, ensuring that one's deeds are in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

Reflecting upon this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of cultivating taqwa in our lives. It is not enough to merely perform religious rituals; rather, we must strive to develop a deep-rooted consciousness of Allah in all aspects of our existence. By doing so, we will find strength, guidance, and contentment in our journey towards Allah's pleasure.

May Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) grant us the ability to embody taqwa and may He bless us with the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives. Ameen.