Hadith #3985

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 progeny, his companions, and all the righteous Muslims.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of love and hate for the sake of Allah, as well as the acts of taking and giving for the sake of Allah. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of these words and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The word (love) "حُبُّ" in this Hadith refers to a profound and sincere affection that one has for another person solely for the sake of Allah. It is a love that is based on recognizing the divine qualities in someone and seeking to please Allah by loving them. This love transcends personal interests and desires, and is rooted in the love of Allah. Allah says in the Quran (3:31),

Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'

On the other hand, the word (hate) "بُغْضُ" in this Hadith refers to a strong aversion or dislike that one has towards another person solely for the sake of Allah. It is not a personal grudge or animosity, but rather a disapproval of their actions or beliefs that go against the teachings of Islam. This type of hate is not based on personal gain or prejudice, but rather on upholding the principles of Allah's religion. Allah says in the Quran (60:8),

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

The act of (taking) "أخْذُ" for the sake of Allah refers to acquiring something from others with the intention of using it in a way that pleases Allah. It could be taking knowledge, wealth, or any other resource that can be utilized for the betterment of oneself and the community. This act is not driven by greed or selfishness, but rather by the desire to serve Allah and His creation. Allah says in the Quran (2:267),

O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.

On the other hand, the act of (giving) "عَطَاءُ" for the sake of Allah refers to the act of giving something to others with the intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah. It could be giving charity, knowledge, or any other form of assistance that benefits others and brings them closer to Allah. This act is driven by selflessness and compassion, as one recognizes that all blessings come from Allah and should be shared with others. Allah says in the Quran (2:261),

The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith highlights the essence of true faith and the importance of having a sincere and selfless approach towards our relationships and actions. It reminds us that our love, hate, taking, and giving should all be directed towards pleasing Allah and following His guidance. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize their love, hate, taking, and giving for the sake of Allah. It encourages us to cultivate a deep love for Allah and His creation, while also standing firm against anything that goes against the principles of Islam. Furthermore, it reminds us to acquire and utilize resources in a manner that pleases Allah and to be generous and selfless in our giving. May Allah guide us all to embody these teachings and grant us the ability to practice them in our daily lives.