True Piety Is Seen, Not Spoken: Commemorating Ayatollah Bahjat with Lessons from Imam Ali (as)

Introduction

On the 22nd of Jumada al-Awwal, we commemorate the passing of the late Grand Ayatollah Bahjat (may Allah have mercy upon him), one of the most luminous examples of taqwa (God-consciousness) and waraʿ (pious restraint) in our age. His life was a living embodiment of faith translated into humble, disciplined action.

In remembrance of his legacy, we reflect on a profound saying of Imam Ali (as) that reveals the essence of genuine piety:

الإمام علي (ع): وَرَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَظهَرُ في عَمَلِهِ، وَرَعُ الْمُنافِقِ لا يَظهَرُ إلاّ عَلى لِسانِهِ (عيون الحكم والمواعظ، ص 504)

Imam Ali (as): “The piety of a believer is evident in his actions, while the piety of a hypocrite appears only on his tongue.” (Uyūn al-Ḥikam wa al-Mawāʿiẓ, p. 504)

Educational messages from the hadith for teens and youth

1. Don’t Be Fooled by Talk

Not everyone who speaks beautifully about religion lives by it. Learn to see through appearances; observe actions, not just speech, before trusting or following someone.

Practical Challenge: Think of one person you admire; reflect honestly. Is it their words that inspire you, or their deeds? Let your role models be people whose faith shows in what they do, not only what they say.

2. Stay Away from False Piety

Avoid close friendship with those whose actions contradict their words, such as backbiting, slandering, or acting unjustly. True companionship should draw you closer to Allah, not away from Him.

Practical Challenge: Reflect on your circle of friends this week. Who genuinely helps you grow in goodness, and who pulls you toward gossip or wrongdoing? Strengthen ties with the first, and gently distance yourself from the latter.

3. Walk Your Faith

Real belief shows through behaviour, not slogans or online posts.

Practical Challenge: Further than sharing faith-related quotes in your social media accounts, do one quiet good deed that no one knows about.

4. Be the Same in Private and Public

A believer’s integrity shines when their behaviour is the same at home, school, and online.

Practical Challenge: Ask yourself at the end of each day: “Did I act today in a way that reflects what I believe?”

5. Less Talk, More Truth

Instead of only talking about your religious beliefs, strive to put them into practice. A hundred words are not equal to half a deed.

Practical Challenge: Before advising others, make sure you are living by the advice you give.

6. Be Real, Not Just Seen

Modern culture values appearance; Islam values integrity. Strive to please Allah, not people. Pleasing Allah could be achieved by integrating your talk, your hearth, and your actions.

Practical Challenge: Do one act of worship or charity privately — without sharing or mentioning it to anyone.

Educational messages from the hadith for parents

1. Teach Discernment

Teach your children not to be swayed by what people say but by what they do. Many may speak with religious language yet act against its spirit. True character is measured through consistent, sincere actions, not polished speech.

Practical Challenge: This week, discuss with your children one example of someone whose actions reflected genuine faith; and another where words did not match deeds. Help them see why actions matter more.

2. Teaching Religion Through Action

Nurture your children’s faith not only through words but through your daily conduct. When they see you living the values of honesty, humility, and kindness, your actions become the most powerful lesson in religion.

Practical Challenge: Choose one Islamic value – such as truthfulness or generosity – and consciously demonstrate it in front of your children this week, without needing to say a word about it.

3. Match Words with Deeds

When parents talk about virtue but act otherwise, children lose respect for religion.

Practical Challenge: Reflect once a week: “Am I living the same values I ask of my family?”

Educational messages from the hadith for Imams and religious leaders

1. Live What You Teach

Your actions and way of life should be your most powerful sermon. Only then will you become the compass that guides society toward faith.

Practical Challenge: Choose one sermon theme and assess how you personally embody it.

2. Teaching the Power of Integrity

Emphasise to your congregations that integrity – the alignment of speech, belief, and action – lies at the heart of true faith.

Practical Challenge: In your next sermon or class, share one authentic historical or contemporary story illustrating the consequences of lacking integrity; and guide listeners to examine their own consistency between words and deeds.