Hadith #5690

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,

سُوسُوا أنْفُسَكُمْ بِالوَرَعِ، وداوُوا مَرْضاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

Groom yourselves with piety and cure your sick with charity.

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. "سُوسُوا" comes from the root word "سَوَسَ" which means to groom or purify oneself. "أنْفُسَكُمْ" refers to yourselves, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility in this matter. "الوَرَعِ" means piety or righteousness, which entails being cautious and mindful of one's actions, thoughts, and intentions in order to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The second part of the Hadith states, "وَداوُوا مَرْضاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ" which means to cure your sick with charity. "داوُوا" is derived from the root word "دَوَاء" which means to cure or heal. "مَرْضاكُمْ" refers to your sick, indicating any physical, emotional, or spiritual ailments that one may be experiencing. "الصَّدَقَةِ" refers to charity, which encompasses giving to those in need, whether it be through financial assistance, acts of kindness, or support.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195),

And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of spending in the way of Allah, which includes acts of charity. By giving to those in need, we not only alleviate their suffering but also purify our own souls and seek the pleasure of Allah. It is through acts of charity that we groom ourselves with piety, as we develop a sense of empathy, compassion, and selflessness.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:7),

Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.

This verse highlights the connection between belief, spending in the way of Allah, and the reward that awaits the believers. By curing our own "sickness" through acts of charity, we demonstrate our faith and fulfill our responsibility as successors of Allah on this earth. Our generosity and selflessness are not only a means of purifying ourselves but also a means of seeking closeness to Allah and attaining His pleasure.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that it encompasses a profound lesson for all Muslims. It reminds us of the importance of self-purification through piety and the power of charity in healing our own afflictions. By practicing piety, we groom ourselves to be better individuals, constantly striving to please Allah in all aspects of our lives. And by engaging in acts of charity, we not only alleviate the suffering of others but also find solace and healing for our own souls.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to groom ourselves with piety and cure our sick with charity. It emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in purifying our souls and seeking the pleasure of Allah. Through acts of charity, we not only alleviate the suffering of others but also find healing and reward for ourselves. May Allah guide us all to embody the teachings of this Hadith and grant us the ability to groom ourselves with piety and cure our sick with charity.