Hadith #4057

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.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of upholding and preserving the religion of Allah. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and understanding of Islam, warns us that nothing weakens and undermines our faith more than neglecting our religious obligations and disregarding the commandments of Allah.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (deen) "دين" refers to religion, encompassing the beliefs, practices, and obligations that constitute a person's faith. (iqamati) "إقامَةِ" means upholding or establishing, indicating the importance of actively practicing and adhering to the teachings of Islam. (tadhiya) "تَضْييعِ" means neglecting or abandoning, highlighting the grave consequences of disregarding one's religious duties. And finally, (al-fara'id) "الفَرائِضِ" refers to the obligatory actions prescribed by Allah, such as the five daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and giving zakat.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 83:

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

This verse highlights the importance of upholding the obligations of prayer and giving zakat, among other duties. The Children of Israel were commanded to establish these acts of worship, but many of them turned away, neglecting their religious obligations. This serves as a reminder to Muslims that neglecting our religious duties can lead to a weakening of our faith and a loss of connection with Allah.

Another verse that supports the message of the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 12:

And Allah had already taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We delegated from among them twelve leaders. And Allah said, 'I am with you. If you establish prayer and give zakah and believe in My messengers and support them and loan Allah a goodly loan, I will surely remove from you your misdeeds and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow. But whoever of you disbelieves after that has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.'

This verse emphasizes the importance of establishing prayer, giving zakat, and believing in the messengers of Allah. It highlights that neglecting these obligations can lead to straying from the right path and the loss of Allah's forgiveness and blessings.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we understand that neglecting our religious obligations not only weakens our faith but also has severe consequences. Abandoning the upholding of Allah's religion leads to a disconnection from our Creator, a loss of spiritual fulfillment, and a weakening of our moral compass. It is through the fulfillment of our religious duties that we strengthen our relationship with Allah, find peace and tranquility in our hearts, and attain spiritual growth.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of prioritizing our religious obligations and not neglecting them. By upholding the pillars of Islam, performing our prayers, giving zakat, and fulfilling all the obligatory actions, we strengthen our faith, protect ourselves from spiritual decay, and maintain a strong connection with Allah.

May Allah guide us to uphold His religion and fulfill our obligations, and may He grant us the strength and determination to remain steadfast in our faith.