Hadith #4005

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 of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights three essential qualities that embody the perfection of religion: sincerity, certitude, and contentment. Let us delve into the meanings of these words and explore their significance in the light of the Quran.

The first quality mentioned is (الإخلاصُ) "al-Ikhlas", which translates to sincerity or purity of intention. It refers to the act of worshiping Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) solely for His sake, without any ulterior motives or desires for worldly gains. The Quran emphasizes the importance of sincerity in numerous verses, such as in Surah Al-Zumar (39:11), where Allah says,

Say, 'Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, sincere in my religion.'

Sincerity is the foundation of our relationship with Allah, as it ensures that our worship is solely directed towards Him. It is the driving force behind all our actions, whether they are acts of worship or acts of kindness towards others. When we strive to be sincere in our intentions, we purify our hearts and align our actions with the pleasure of Allah.

The second quality mentioned is (اليَقينُ) "al-Yaqeen", which means certitude or absolute conviction. It refers to having unwavering faith in the existence and oneness of Allah, as well as in the truthfulness of His message. The Quran encourages believers to seek knowledge and strengthen their faith, as stated in Surah Muhammad (47:19),

So know, [O Muhammad], that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin.

Certitude is not merely a blind belief, but a deep-rooted conviction that is based on knowledge and understanding. It is the result of seeking knowledge, reflecting upon the signs of Allah in the universe, and pondering over the teachings of the Quran. When we have certitude in our hearts, we are able to face challenges and trials with steadfastness, knowing that Allah is always with us.

The third quality mentioned is (التَّقَنُّعُ) "al-Taqannu", which can be translated as contentment or satisfaction. It refers to being satisfied with what Allah has decreed for us and being grateful for His blessings, regardless of our circumstances. The Quran teaches us the importance of contentment in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:152), where Allah says,

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.

Contentment is not about complacency or stagnation, but rather about finding peace and tranquility in the present moment while striving for improvement. It is about recognizing that true happiness and fulfillment come from being grateful for what we have, rather than constantly chasing after worldly desires. When we cultivate contentment in our hearts, we free ourselves from the shackles of materialism and find solace in the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, highlights these three qualities as the essence of a perfected religion. Sincerity, certitude, and contentment are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. When we are sincere in our worship, our certitude in Allah's existence and guidance deepens. This, in turn, leads to contentment with Allah's decree and a sense of inner peace.

By embodying these qualities, Muslims can strive towards the perfection of their religion. Sincerity helps us purify our intentions, certitude strengthens our faith, and contentment brings us closer to Allah and enables us to find peace and fulfillment in His remembrance.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to cultivate these qualities in our lives and may He accept our sincere efforts in seeking His pleasure. Ameen.