Hadith #10922

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

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

ما أصْلَحَ الدّينَ كَالوَرَعِ۔

This can be translated as,

Nothing reforms the faith like piety.

In this Hadith, the word (aslaha) "أصْلَحَ" means "reforms" or "rectifies," while (ad-dīn) "الدّينَ" refers to "faith" or "religion." Lastly, (ka-l-wara'i) "كَالوَرَعِ" means "like piety" or "similar to piety."

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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 (أَتْقَاكُمْ) of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes the importance of righteousness and piety in Islam. It teaches us that true nobility and superiority lie not in one's lineage, wealth, or social status, but rather in their level of piety and righteousness. Therefore, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) aligns perfectly with this Quranic principle, highlighting the significance of piety in reforming and rectifying one's faith.

Piety, or (al-wara'i) "الوَرَعِ", refers to a state of being cautious and mindful of Allah's commands and prohibitions. It involves abstaining from sinful acts and fulfilling one's religious obligations with sincerity and devotion. Piety is not limited to outward actions but encompasses the inner state of the heart as well. It is a comprehensive concept that encompasses all aspects of a person's life.

The Quran provides numerous verses that emphasize the importance of piety. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah says,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (piety). So fear Me, O you of understanding.

Here, Allah reminds the believers that the best provision they can take for their journey in this world is piety. It is through piety that they can attain true success and protection from the temptations and trials of life.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:7), Allah states,

And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance, and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided.

This verse highlights the importance of having faith and piety in our hearts. It is through piety that our faith becomes beloved to us, and we develop a strong aversion to disbelief, defiance, and disobedience. Piety acts as a shield that protects our faith from corruption and strengthens our connection with Allah.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the impactful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. He teaches us that nothing can truly reform and rectify our faith like piety. Piety acts as a catalyst for positive change, purifying our hearts, and guiding our actions towards what is pleasing to Allah. It is through piety that we can attain true nobility and righteousness in the sight of Allah.

When we embody piety in our lives, it motivates us to strive for excellence in all aspects of our faith. It encourages us to fulfill our religious obligations with sincerity and to avoid sinful acts. Piety also has far-reaching consequences, as it not only reforms our individual faith but also has a positive impact on our families, communities, and society as a whole.

Reflecting on Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of cultivating piety in our lives. We should strive to be mindful of Allah's commands and prohibitions, and constantly seek to improve our level of righteousness. By doing so, we can experience a true transformation in our faith, leading to a more fulfilling and purposeful life as Muslims.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody piety in our lives and reform our faith accordingly. May He bless us with the guidance and strength to continuously strive for righteousness. Ameen.