Hadith #7722

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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,

The two qualities without which Allah, the Glorified, does not accept any deeds are: piety and sincerity.

This enlightening Hadith emphasizes the importance of these two qualities in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us first delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (taqwa) "تقى" refers to piety or righteousness. It entails being conscious of Allah's commands and avoiding anything that displeases Him. Taqwa is the foundation of a believer's actions and is essential for the acceptance of deeds by Allah. The second word, (ikhlas) "إخلاص", means sincerity or purity of intention. It signifies performing acts of worship solely for the sake of Allah, without seeking any worldly gain or recognition.

The importance of taqwa and ikhlas is emphasized in numerous verses of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197),

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is taqwa. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

This verse highlights that the ultimate provision for the journey of life is taqwa. It is the key to success and acceptance of our deeds by Allah.

Similarly, the Quran emphasizes the significance of ikhlas in Surah Az-Zumar (39:11-14), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Say, 'Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, sincere in my religion. And I was commanded to be the first [among you] of the Muslims.' Say, 'Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.' Say, 'Allah [alone] do I worship, sincere to Him in my religion.'

Now, let us reflect on the wise message of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that without taqwa and ikhlas, our deeds will not be accepted by Allah. This implies that merely performing acts of worship without these qualities will not yield the desired spiritual and moral transformation.

Taqwa serves as a guiding principle for a believer, shaping their thoughts, actions, and intentions. It instills a sense of consciousness and awareness of Allah's presence, leading to righteous behavior and the avoidance of sins. It is through taqwa that one can attain nearness to Allah and seek His pleasure.

On the other hand, ikhlas purifies our intentions and ensures that our actions are solely for the sake of Allah. It guards against the traps of hypocrisy and insincerity, which can corrupt our deeds and render them devoid of reward. Ikhlas enables us to detach ourselves from worldly desires and seek the pleasure of Allah alone.

The consequences of neglecting taqwa and ikhlas are grave. Without taqwa, our actions may become superficial and devoid of true spirituality. Without ikhlas, our deeds may be tainted by hidden motives and desires for worldly gains. Both qualities are essential for the acceptance of our deeds and the cultivation of a sincere and righteous character.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of constantly assessing our intentions and striving to purify them. We should seek to develop taqwa in all aspects of our lives, ensuring that our actions are in accordance with the teachings of Islam. We should also strive to cultivate ikhlas, purifying our intentions and seeking the pleasure of Allah in all that we do.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the significance of taqwa and ikhlas in the acceptance of our deeds by Allah. Taqwa serves as the foundation of righteous actions, while ikhlas ensures the purity of our intentions. By embodying these qualities, we can strive towards a sincere and righteous life, seeking the pleasure of Allah in all that we do. May Allah grant us the ability to cultivate taqwa and ikhlas in our lives and accept our deeds.