Hadith #7723

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

طَلَبُ المَراتِبِ والدَّرَجاتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَل جَهْلٌ۔

This can be translated as,

Seeking lofty stations and ranks without any action is folly.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this impactful saying in light of the Quran. The key words in this Hadith are (seeking) "طَلَبُ", (lofty stations) "المَراتِبِ", (ranks) "الدَّرَجاتِ", (without) "بِغَيْرِ", and (action) "عَمَل".

The Quran emphasizes the importance of actions and deeds in numerous verses. For example, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:104), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - their Lord will guide them because of their faith.

This verse highlights the significance of combining belief with righteous actions. Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:277), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

Here, Allah emphasizes the importance of not only believing but also performing righteous deeds, establishing prayer, and giving zakah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith warns against seeking lofty stations and ranks without any action. This implies that mere aspirations and desires for high positions or recognition, without putting in the necessary effort and actions, are futile and foolish. It is not enough to merely desire greatness; one must actively work towards it through righteous actions.

This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of actions and deeds. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not reward individuals solely based on their aspirations or intentions; rather, He rewards them based on their actions and the sincerity behind those actions. In Surah Al-Insan (76:22), Allah says,

Indeed, this is for you a reward, and your effort has been appreciated.

This verse highlights that the reward is based on the effort and actions put forth by individuals.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to actively engage in righteous actions and not merely rely on empty aspirations. It encourages us to strive for excellence in our deeds, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rather than seeking recognition or positions of power for personal gain.

Reflecting upon this Hadith, we can understand that seeking lofty stations and ranks without any action is not only futile but also detrimental to our spiritual growth. It is through our actions that we develop our character, strengthen our relationship with Allah, and contribute positively to society. Merely desiring greatness without putting in the necessary effort can lead to arrogance, complacency, and a neglect of our responsibilities.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize actions over empty aspirations. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of combining belief with righteous deeds. As Muslims, we should strive to actively engage in good deeds, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and not merely seeking recognition or positions of power. May Allah guide us to be people of action and bless us with sincerity in our deeds.