Hadith #985

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad (ﷺ) and his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, as well as his noble companions.

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

قَدْنَجا مَنْ وَحَّدَ (وَجَدَ، وُحِدَ)۔

This can be translated into English as:

Whoever believes in one God is saved.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. The word (wahhada) "وَحَّدَ" comes from the root word (wahida) "وَحِدَ", which means to believe in the oneness of Allah, to affirm His uniqueness, and to worship Him alone. It signifies the concept of Tawhid, which is the fundamental belief in the oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word (naja) "نَجَا" means to be saved or delivered from harm or punishment.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of Tawhid and the consequences of believing in one God. In Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112), Allah says:

(Quran 112:1-4)

Say, 'He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'

This ayah beautifully encapsulates the essence of Tawhid, affirming the oneness of Allah and negating any partners or equals. Believing in this concept is the key to salvation, as it leads to a deep connection with the Creator and a rejection of false deities.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anbiya (Chapter 21), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

(Quran 21:25)

And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that there is no deity except Me, so worship Me.

This verse highlights the consistent message of monotheism conveyed by all the prophets. They were sent to guide humanity towards the worship of the One true God, emphasizing the importance of Tawhid as the foundation of faith.

Now, let us reflect on the profound implications of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement. By stating that

Whoever believes in one God is saved,

he emphasizes the centrality of Tawhid in attaining salvation. This Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that their faith should be firmly rooted in the belief in the oneness of Allah, as it is the key to deliverance from harm and punishment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words carry great weight. His statement echoes the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), reinforcing the importance of Tawhid as the core principle of Islam.

Believing in the oneness of Allah has profound implications for our daily lives. It shapes our worldview, our actions, and our relationships. It motivates us to seek the pleasure of Allah alone, to avoid associating partners with Him, and to strive for righteousness in all aspects of our lives.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder of the consequences of deviating from Tawhid. Associating partners with Allah, known as Shirk, is considered the gravest sin in Islam. It nullifies one's faith and leads to eternal damnation. The belief in one God, on the other hand, brings about spiritual tranquility, guidance, and ultimately, salvation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Whoever believes in one God is saved

emphasizes the significance of Tawhid in Islam. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), highlighting the oneness of Allah as the foundation of faith and the key to salvation. Muslims are reminded to firmly believe in the oneness of Allah, to worship Him alone, and to seek His pleasure in all aspects of their lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the path of Tawhid and grant us salvation.