Hadith #2889

Bismillah, All praise is due to Allah, the Most High, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his noble family, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the importance of the declaration of faith,

There is none worthy of worship but Allah

and emphasizes that it is not a mere statement, but rather it entails certain conditions. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further asserts that he and his progeny are among those conditions.

Let us delve into the words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The key phrase in this Hadith is (conditions) "شُرُوطاً". The word "شُرُوطاً" is the plural form of "شَرْط" which means conditions or prerequisites. It implies that the declaration of faith,

There is none worthy of worship but Allah,

is not a mere verbal utterance, but it requires certain obligations and commitments.

To comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can refer to the Quranic verses that emphasize the conditions of the declaration of faith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights the conditions of belief (iman) and righteous deeds, which are essential components of the declaration of faith.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

This verse emphasizes the importance of belief in Allah and the Day of Judgment, as well as the performance of righteous actions such as giving charity and helping those in need.

Now, let us reflect on the profound implications of Imam Ali's statement. By asserting that he and his progeny are among the conditions of the declaration of faith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the unique role and position of the Ahl al-Bayt in upholding and preserving the true essence of Islam. They are not only the bearers of the message of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) but also the living embodiment of the conditions of the declaration of faith.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed an unparalleled knowledge and understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ). His profound wisdom and exemplary character serve as a guiding light for Muslims in understanding and implementing the conditions of the declaration of faith.

The consequences of recognizing and following the conditions of the declaration of faith are immense. It leads to a deepening of our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and a transformation of our lives. By fulfilling these conditions, we strive to align our actions and intentions with the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His forgiveness and mercy.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to not only utter the declaration of faith but also to fulfill its conditions. It emphasizes the importance of belief (iman) and righteous actions as integral components of our faith. Furthermore, it highlights the unique role of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his progeny in upholding and embodying these conditions. May we strive to understand and implement the conditions of the declaration of faith in our lives, following the guidance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the teachings of the Quran.