Hadith #3430

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of performing good deeds and purifying our intentions in order to attain success and happiness in both this world and the Hereafter. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking saying and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Send forth good actions and you will gain [in the Hereafter].

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges Muslims to proactively engage in righteous deeds and virtuous acts. The word (qaddimoo) "قَدِّمُوا" means to advance or send forth, indicating the need for Muslims to take the initiative in performing good actions. This is supported by the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:148), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

So race to [all that is] good.

This verse encourages believers to hasten towards performing good deeds and competing in righteousness.

Furthermore, the Hadith emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our actions. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Purify your actions [by performing them sincerely for Allah].

The word (akhlisoo) "أخْلِصُوا" means to purify or make sincere. This highlights the significance of performing deeds solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), without any ulterior motives or desire for worldly recognition. The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Zumar (39:3) supports this notion, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

So worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.

By purifying our actions and performing them sincerely for Allah, we attain felicity and happiness. The Hadith states,

You will be felicitous.

The word (tas'adu) "تَسْعَدُوا" means to be happy or successful. This happiness and success are not limited to the Hereafter but also encompass the blessings and contentment we experience in this worldly life. The Quranic verse in Surah Yunus (10:62-63) reinforces this concept, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

No doubt! Verily, the friends of Allah are [those] on whom fear [and awe] come not, nor do they grieve. Those who believed and used to fear Allah much [by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds].

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith encourages Muslims to actively engage in performing good deeds, while reminding us of the importance of sincerity in our actions. By sending forth good actions and purifying our intentions, we not only gain rewards in the Hereafter but also experience true happiness and success in this world. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and attain felicity in both worlds.