Hadith #1247

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 beautifully describes the essence of faith and its various dimensions. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring the meanings behind the important words used by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and their significance in light of the Quran.

The first word to focus on is (zulfā) "زُلْفَى", which Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes as nearness or closeness to Allah. This closeness is attained by the one who guards against evil, who is vigilant and cautious in their actions, striving to avoid anything that may distance them from Allah's pleasure. The Quran supports this concept of nearness to Allah in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.

The next word is (thiqah) "ثِقَةٌ", which Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes as confidence or trust in Allah. This trust is the foundation of faith, as it entails relying on Allah's wisdom, mercy, and guidance in all matters. The Quran emphasizes the importance of trust in Allah in Surah At-Talaq, verse 3, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then mentions (rahah) "راحَةٌ", which translates to comfort. This comfort is experienced by the one who entrusts their affairs to Allah, recognizing that He is the ultimate source of peace and tranquility. This concept is beautifully expressed in Surah An-Nahl, verse 50, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And rely upon Allah; and sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.

Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentions (junnah) "جُنَّةٌ", which means a shield or protection. This shield is granted to the one who endures patiently, who remains steadfast in the face of trials and tribulations. The Quran affirms the significance of patience and its role in providing protection in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 45, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see that faith is not merely a set of beliefs, but a comprehensive system that encompasses nearness to Allah, trust in Him, comfort in His guidance, and protection through patience. It is a transformative journey that requires constant vigilance, reliance on Allah, surrendering our affairs to Him, and enduring hardships with patience.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, encapsulates the essence of faith in this Hadith. His words serve as a reminder to Muslims of all backgrounds that true faith is not limited to rituals and outward expressions, but it is a state of the heart that permeates every aspect of our lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strengthen our faith through nearness to Him, trust in Him, comfort in His guidance, and protection through patience. May we strive to emulate the qualities described in this Hadith and may it serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for all Muslims.