Hadith #8896

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

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of action and speech in our lives. He states,

Indeed the preference of speech over action is a shortcoming, and the preference of action over speech is indeed a beauty and an adornment.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this hadith by examining the key words and their implications. The word (fadl) "فَضْلَ" means preference or superiority. It emphasizes the importance of one aspect over another. (al-qawl) "القَوْلِ" refers to speech or words, while (al-fi'l) "الفِعْلِ" denotes action or deeds. (lahjnah) "لَهُجْنَةٌ" signifies a shortcoming or deficiency, and (lajamalun wazeenah) "لَجَمالٌ وزينَةٌ" represents beauty and adornment.

To understand the deeper meaning of this hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of both speech and action in numerous verses. For instance, in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah says,

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 significance of both belief and righteous actions, as well as the importance of advising one another to truth and patience.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:1-11), Allah describes the qualities of successful believers. He mentions that they are humble in their prayers, avoid vain talk, fulfill their promises, and guard their private parts. This emphasizes the importance of both speech and action in the life of a believer.

Now, let us reflect on the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's statement. He states that the preference of speech over action is a shortcoming. This implies that mere words without corresponding actions are meaningless and insufficient. It is easy for someone to speak eloquently, but true value lies in the implementation of those words through righteous actions. As Muslims, we are encouraged to be people of action, to embody the teachings of Islam through our deeds.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then highlights the preference of action over speech, stating that it is a beauty and an adornment. This signifies that actions have a greater impact and leave a lasting impression on others. When our actions align with our words, they become a source of inspiration and guidance for others. Our actions speak louder than words, and they have the power to transform hearts and minds.

For example, if we claim to be compassionate but do not actively engage in acts of kindness and charity, our words lose their credibility. On the other hand, if we consistently demonstrate compassion through our actions, we become a source of inspiration for others and our actions become a means of beautifying our character.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize action over speech. It teaches us that our words should be supported by our deeds, and that our actions should reflect the beauty and adornment of our faith. Let us strive to be people of action, embodying the teachings of Islam in our daily lives, and inspiring others through our righteous deeds. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to align our speech and actions, and may He accept our efforts.