Hadith #1356

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he beautifully encapsulates the essence of a believer's character. The Hadith states,

The integrity of a believer is in his keeping away from what is forbidden and hastening towards virtues.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meanings in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (nazahatuhu) "نزاهة", which refers to the integrity or purity of a believer. It signifies the state of being free from moral impurities and sins. This purity is achieved by staying away from what is forbidden, or (al-maharim) "المَحارِم". These are the actions and behaviors that Allah has explicitly prohibited in the Quran, such as theft, adultery, and lying.

To understand the significance of keeping away from what is forbidden, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-A'raf, Allah says, (Quran 2:83)

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 adhering to what is commanded by Allah and staying away from what is prohibited. The Children of Israel were given clear instructions, but many of them turned away. Similarly, as Muslims, we are obligated to refrain from what is forbidden and fulfill our duties towards Allah and His creation.

The second part of the Hadith emphasizes the believer's eagerness to pursue virtues, or (al-makarim) "المَكارِم". These are the noble qualities and righteous deeds that bring one closer to Allah and benefit humanity. Examples of virtues include honesty, generosity, kindness, and justice.

The Quran provides numerous verses that encourage believers to hasten towards virtues. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 57:21)

Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allah and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse urges Muslims to compete in doing good deeds and seeking forgiveness from Allah. It highlights the importance of striving for virtues and the rewards that await those who do so. By hastening towards virtues, believers not only improve their own character but also contribute positively to society.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening words in this Hadith remind us of the importance of maintaining our integrity by avoiding what is forbidden and actively seeking virtues. By doing so, we uphold the teachings of the Quran and the example set by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions.

The consequences of embodying the teachings of this Hadith are far-reaching. On an individual level, it leads to personal growth and spiritual development. It strengthens our relationship with Allah and helps us become better human beings. On a societal level, it fosters a community that is characterized by righteousness, justice, and compassion.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the immense responsibility we have as Muslims to strive for integrity and virtue. It is not enough to simply avoid what is forbidden; we must actively seek out opportunities to do good and make a positive impact in the world. May Allah grant us the strength and guidance to embody the teachings of this Hadith and become true believers who uphold integrity and hasten towards virtues.