Hadith #2297

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 Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

أفْضَلُ مِنَ الصَّنِيعَةِ مَزِيَّةُ الصَّنِيعَةِ۔

This can be translated as,

The merit of a righteous action is better than the action [itself].

Let us delve into the meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (sanīʿah) "صَّنِيعَةِ" in the Hadith refers to an action or deed. It encompasses any act of worship, whether it be prayer, fasting, giving charity, or any other righteous act performed with sincerity and devotion.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that the (maziyyat al-sanīʿah) "مَزِيَّةُ الصَّنِيعَةِ", the merit or excellence of a righteous action, surpasses the action itself. This implies that the quality and sincerity with which an act is performed holds greater value than the mere physical act.

To understand the depth of this statement, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:37),

Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.

This verse highlights that it is not the physical aspects of our actions that reach Allah, but rather the sincerity and righteousness that emanates from our hearts.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:27), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) mentions the story of the two sons of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), where one brother's sacrifice was accepted and the other's was rejected. The accepted sacrifice was not merely a physical act, but rather it was the sincerity and righteousness behind it that made it superior.

Therefore, the merit of a righteous action lies in the purity of intention, the sincerity of devotion, and the consciousness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) throughout the act. It is the inner dimensions of our actions that truly matter in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

For example, when we pray, it is not the number of units or the speed at which we complete our prayer that determines its merit. Rather, it is the presence of heart, humility, and focus on the words and actions of the prayer that elevate its value. Similarly, when we give charity, it is not the amount we give, but the intention behind our giving and the sincerity of our desire to help others that truly matters.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that our actions should not be performed merely for the sake of fulfilling obligations or gaining recognition. Rather, they should be driven by a genuine desire to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His pleasure. This requires us to constantly purify our intentions, align our actions with the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah, and strive for excellence in our worship.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the merit of a righteous action lies in the purity of intention and the sincerity with which it is performed. It reminds us that our actions should not be reduced to mere rituals, but rather should be a means of elevating our spirituality and strengthening our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to perform righteous actions with sincerity and earn His pleasure.