Hadith #1241

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad (ﷺ) and his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, as well as his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights three important qualities that, when possessed, perfect one's faith. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The first quality mentioned is justice in anger and contentment. Justice is a fundamental principle in Islam, and it encompasses treating others with fairness and equity. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of maintaining justice even in moments of anger. This means that one should not let their anger cloud their judgment or lead them to act unjustly. Instead, they should strive to control their anger and make decisions based on fairness and righteousness.

The Quran supports this notion of justice in anger in several verses. In Surah Al-Imran (3:134), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Those who control their anger and are forgiving toward people; Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of controlling one's anger and forgiving others, which aligns perfectly with the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

The second quality mentioned is moderation in poverty and wealth. Islam encourages its followers to strike a balance in their approach to material possessions. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to maintain moderation regardless of our financial situation. This means that whether we are facing poverty or abundance, we should not let it consume us or affect our behavior negatively. Instead, we should remain humble and grateful in times of wealth and patient and content in times of poverty.

The Quran beautifully illustrates the concept of moderation in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse reminds us that material possessions are temporary and that our focus should be on the enduring good deeds that we perform. It reinforces the idea that our faith should not be swayed by our financial circumstances.

The third quality mentioned is maintaining a balance between fear and hope. Fear and hope are two essential emotions in the life of a Muslim. While fear reminds us of our accountability to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the consequences of our actions, hope instills in us the belief in Allah's mercy and forgiveness. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to strike a balance between these two emotions, neither being overwhelmed by fear nor becoming complacent due to excessive hope.

The Quran beautifully addresses the concept of maintaining a balance between fear and hope in Surah Al-Hijr (15:56), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And say, 'My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils. And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me.'

This verse highlights the importance of seeking refuge in Allah from the whispers of Shaytan, which can lead us astray. It reminds us to maintain a healthy level of fear and seek protection from anything that may harm our faith.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with invaluable guidance on perfecting our faith. By practicing justice in anger and contentment, moderation in poverty and wealth, and maintaining a balance between fear and hope, we can strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and enhance our faith. May Allah grant us the ability to embody these qualities and perfect our faith.