Hadith #4926

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the essence and purpose of Islam. He states,

Verily Islam has a goal, so strive towards its goal and proceed towards Allah by fulfilling that which He has ordained upon you of His rights.

Let us delve into the key words and concepts in this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (إسْلامِ) "Islam" refers to the religion of submission and surrender to the will of Allah. It encompasses all aspects of life, guiding Muslims in their beliefs, actions, and interactions. The word (غايَةً) "goal" signifies the ultimate objective or purpose that Islam aims to achieve. It is a destination towards which Muslims should strive.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to (فَانْتَهُوا إلى غايَتِهِ)

strive towards its goal

emphasizing the importance of actively working towards fulfilling the purpose of Islam. This implies that Islam is not merely a passive belief system, but a dynamic and transformative way of life that requires continuous effort and dedication.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) instructs us to (واخْرُجُوا إلَى اللّهِ) "proceed towards Allah", indicating that the ultimate destination of our journey is Allah Himself. We are called to draw closer to Allah, to seek His pleasure, and to establish a deep and meaningful connection with Him.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) also reminds us to fulfill (مِمّا افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ حُقُوقِهِ)

that which He has ordained upon you of His rights

This refers to the obligations and responsibilities that Allah has prescribed for us as Muslims. These include acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, and charity, as well as fulfilling our duties towards others, such as being just, kind, and compassionate.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:208),

O you who have believed, enter into peace completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

This verse emphasizes the importance of wholeheartedly embracing Islam and striving towards its goal, while being cautious of the temptations and distractions that may lead us astray.

In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:35), Allah says,

O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed.

This verse echoes the call of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to proceed towards Allah and strive in fulfilling His rights. It reminds us that true success lies in seeking nearness to Allah and dedicating ourselves to His cause.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that Islam is not a stagnant or ritualistic religion. It is a dynamic and transformative way of life that requires continuous effort and dedication. By striving towards the goal of Islam and fulfilling the rights of Allah, we can establish a deep connection with our Creator and attain true success in this world and the hereafter.

May Allah guide us all on the path of Islam and enable us to fulfill our obligations towards Him. Ameen.