Tradition

أَجَلُّ النِّعَمِ اَلْعافِيَةُ وَ خَيْرُ مادَامَ فِى الْقَلْبِ الْيَقيِنُ

Imam ‘Ali (‘a) is narrated to have said: “The best blessing is health and soundness, while the best thing which can fill one’s heart is faith in God.”1

Brief Commentary

In this tradition, Imam ‘Ali (‘a) has pointed out the greatest physical and spiritual blessings which one can have. Physical health is not only the greatest material blessing but it is the root of all other blessings as well. It is through means of our physical health that we are able to do everything else. Without physical health, such things like prayer, fasting, charity, and other good works would also not be possible for us.

When it comes to spiritual issues, the greatest blessing that one can have is a heart filled with faith in God. This is something which allows us to see the world as it is and which lights the way in front of us even in the depths of darkness. It is through faith that the disease of ignorance and sin are eliminated and one’s heart and body are made calm and peaceful.

• 1. Tuhaf al-’Uqul, p. 206, Al-Tamhees, p. 61.