Hadith #1751

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.

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

نَيْلُ الجَنَّةِ بِالتَّنَزُّهِ عَنِ المَأثِمِ

which translates to

Paradise is attained through keeping away from sins.

This beautiful saying emphasizes the importance of abstaining from sinful actions in order to achieve the ultimate reward of Paradise.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (nayl) "نَيْلُ" means to attain or achieve, indicating that Paradise is not simply granted, but rather earned through conscious effort and righteous deeds. The term (al-jannah) "الجَنَّةِ" refers to Paradise, the eternal abode of bliss and reward promised to the righteous believers. (at-tanzuh) "التَّنَزُّهِ" means to keep away or abstain from, highlighting the necessity of actively avoiding sinful actions. Finally, (al-ma'thim) "المَأثِمِ" refers to sins, encompassing all actions that transgress the boundaries set by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To further reinforce the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:135):

And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking forgiveness from Allah after committing sins, and the need to refrain from persisting in sinful behavior.

In Surah Al-A'raf (7:157), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), saying,

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the role of the Prophet (ﷺ) in guiding the believers towards righteousness and forbidding them from engaging in sinful actions.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we understand that abstaining from sins is a fundamental aspect of our faith. It is through conscious effort and self-discipline that we can attain Paradise. By refraining from sinful actions, we demonstrate our obedience to Allah's commands and strive to purify our souls. This requires constant self-awareness, reflection, and seeking forgiveness when we do fall into sin.

Moreover, the Hadith reminds us that sins have consequences. They distance us from the mercy and blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and can lead to spiritual and emotional turmoil. By avoiding sins, we protect ourselves from the negative consequences they bring upon our lives and relationships.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to strive for righteousness and abstain from sins. It emphasizes the importance of conscious effort in attaining Paradise and highlights the consequences of engaging in sinful actions. Let us continuously seek Allah's forgiveness, purify our hearts, and strive to live a life free from sins, in order to attain the ultimate reward of Paradise. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter.