Hadith #1322

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 the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Be a pious, contented and modest believer.

Let us delve into the meanings and implications of the important words in this Hadith.

The first word is "mu'min" which means a believer. A believer is someone who has faith in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His Messenger (ﷺ), and follows the teachings of Islam. This word emphasizes the importance of having a strong and unwavering belief in Allah and His guidance.

The second word is "taqiyyan" which means pious or God-conscious. It refers to a person who is constantly aware of Allah's presence and strives to fulfill His commands and avoid His prohibitions. This quality of taqwa is repeatedly emphasized in the Quran, where Allah 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 (taqwa) of you.

The third word is "mutaqannia" which means contented. It signifies being satisfied with what Allah has provided and not being excessively attached to worldly possessions. Contentment is a virtue that helps us maintain a balanced perspective and prevents us from becoming consumed by materialistic desires. Allah says in Surah At-Talaq (65:3),

And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.

The fourth word is "afifan" which means modest or chaste. It refers to a person who maintains their dignity and purity in their thoughts, words, and actions. Modesty is a fundamental aspect of Islam, as it encourages us to guard our chastity and behave with decency and respect. Allah says in Surah An-Nur (24:30),

Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.

Now, let us reflect on the beautiful message of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be believers who are pious, contented, and modest. By embodying these qualities, we can attain spiritual excellence and strengthen our relationship with Allah.

Being a believer entails having unwavering faith in Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), and living our lives in accordance with the teachings of Islam. This means fulfilling our obligations, avoiding sins, and constantly seeking to improve ourselves.

Taqwa, or piety, is the foundation of a believer's character. It involves being conscious of Allah's presence at all times and striving to please Him in every aspect of our lives. It is through taqwa that we can attain righteousness and earn Allah's pleasure.

Contentment is a virtue that allows us to find peace and satisfaction in what Allah has decreed for us. It teaches us to be grateful for the blessings we have and not to be envious of others. By being content, we can free ourselves from the constant pursuit of material possessions and focus on the true purpose of our existence - to worship Allah.

Modesty is a quality that encompasses both physical and spiritual aspects. It requires us to dress modestly, speak with humility, and behave with integrity. Modesty protects our dignity and helps us maintain a pure and righteous character.

By practicing the teachings of this Hadith, we can cultivate a strong and balanced faith that encompasses all aspects of our lives. We will become individuals who are conscious of Allah, content with His provisions, and modest in our conduct. This will not only bring us closer to Allah but also inspire others to follow the path of righteousness.

May Allah grant us the ability to embody the qualities mentioned in this Hadith and guide us on the straight path. Ameen.