Hadith #7630

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 the importance of performing good deeds, making supplications, and seeking repentance. Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The first word we will examine is (perform good deeds) "اِعْمَلُوا". This word emphasizes the importance of engaging in righteous actions and fulfilling our obligations as Muslims. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the significance of good deeds, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:277), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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.

The next word is (supplication) "الدُّعاءُ". Supplication is a means of communication between a servant and his Lord. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages us to make supplications in numerous verses of the Quran, such as in Surah Ghafir (40:60), where He says,

And your Lord says, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.' Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.

The third word is (repentance) "التَّوْبَةُ". Repentance is a sincere turning back to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) after committing sins. The Quran emphasizes the importance of repentance in Surah An-Nisa (4:17), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that our good deeds are beneficial in a place where they are performed. This means that the rewards and blessings of our actions are multiplied when performed in a righteous environment, such as a mosque or during the holy month of Ramadan. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) affirms this in Surah Al-Tawbah (9:18), where He says,

The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and establish prayer and give zakah and do not fear except Allah, for it is expected that those will be of the [rightly] guided.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentions that supplications are answered. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) assures us in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186),

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that repentance is raised and accepted. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) promises in Surah Al-Tahrim (66:8),

O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow [on] the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, 'Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.'

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to actively engage in performing good deeds, making supplications, and seeking repentance. It highlights the importance of these actions and the benefits they bring in this world and the Hereafter. By following the guidance of the Quran and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt, we can strive to lead a righteous and fulfilling life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to perform good deeds, accept our supplications, and grant us sincere repentance.