Ibn Majah

Commentary:

➊ (Isbagh al-wudu)
By this is meant to wash the limbs during ablution (wudu) in such a manner that no part remains dry.
For this purpose, attention and caution are required.
Especially when water is scarce, or due to cold it is difficult to use cold water, or a person is in haste, then the limbs of ablution are not washed thoroughly.
In such circumstances, performing ablution with full care and perfection is certainly a sign of faith.

➋
In Sahih Muslim, this hadith is narrated with these words:
(al-tahuru shatru al-iman) (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Taharah, Bab Fadl al-Wudu, Hadith: 223)
“Purity is a part of faith.”
This includes, besides ablution (wudu) and ritual bath (ghusl), keeping the body and clothes clean from outward impurities.

➌
By “the scale” is meant the pan of the scale that weighs deeds, specifically the pan of good deeds. (Alhamdulillah)
In it is the praise of Allah, that He is characterized by all the praiseworthy attributes befitting His majesty, and even among the creation, whatever praiseworthy qualities are found, they are given and created by Him; in this respect and because of these attributes, He alone is worthy of praise.
Since this phrase (Alhamdulillah) expresses countless attributes of Allah, its status is so lofty that if it is uttered with full consciousness and awareness, it alone is sufficient to fill the pan of good deeds.
Moreover, (Alhamdulillah) is also an expression of gratitude to Allah, which includes the acknowledgment that every blessing is received from Allah alone, and it is His grace and favor; otherwise, the creation, by itself, has no right to any blessing—even our existence and creation are entirely grace and favor. Therefore, for the creation, gratitude and thankfulness are more appropriate than pride and arrogance. For this reason, the phrase (Alhamdulillah) possesses such greatness that it fills the pan of good deeds.

➍ (Subhanallah)
means that Allah Ta’ala is free from all attributes and actions that are not befitting His majesty.
Thus, this phrase encompasses all negative attributes, just as (Alhamdulillah) encompasses all positive and affirmative attributes.
With the combination of these two, the affirmation of all aspects of Allah Ta’ala’s attributes is established.
Thus, (Subhanallah wa Alhamdulillah) is such a magnificent remembrance that it encompasses everything from the heavens to the earth, because in the entire universe, it is the manifestation and operation of Allah’s sacred attributes.

➎
Prayer (salah) has been described as light because it restrains from sins.
The Divine statement is:
﴿إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ ۗ﴾ (Al-Ankabut: 29/45)
“Indeed, prayer restrains from indecency and evil deeds.”
Just as, due to light, a person can discern what is beneficial and harmful, similarly, through prayer, love for good deeds and aversion to sins is created in the heart.

➏
Zakat is a proof that establishes the truthfulness of a person’s claim to faith.
Spending wealth sincerely in the way of Allah is only possible when there is certainty and faith in the heart that its reward will be received in the Hereafter.
Similarly, voluntary charities will also be a means of salvation on the Day of Judgment.

➐
By patience (sabr) is meant steadfastness in obedience to Allah and righteousness, as well as adopting piety while resisting the causes and desires that invite towards sin.
Additionally, at times of calamities and hardships in the world, refraining from panic and not inclining towards sin is also included in patience.
This quality, like a light, guides at every step in the journey of life.
Some scholars have explained patience as fasting (sawm), because fasting also subdues sinful inclinations and enlightens the heart.

➑
The Noble Qur’an was revealed so that it may be acted upon; thus, whoever recites it and acts upon it, the Qur’an will testify in his favor on the Day of Judgment.
Regarding some surahs of the Qur’an, such as Surah al-Baqarah and Aal Imran, it is also reported that they will testify and intercede for the reciter. See: (Sahih Muslim, Salat al-Musafirin, Bab Fadl Qira’at al-Qur’an wa Surah al-Baqarah, Hadith: 804)

➒
A person’s salvation depends on his deeds.
This is clarified in the hadith through an example.
Every person, in the morning, has both paths open before him—the path of good and the path of evil.
And it is within a person’s own choice whether he sells himself to Allah for that day or to Satan.
Whoever adopts obedience to Allah and performs righteous deeds pleasing to Him, he has attained salvation; and whoever hands over his reins to Satan and continues to do what pleases him, he has destroyed himself.

Urdu Footnote:
➊ "Half of faith." Because prayer (salah) is the essence of religion, and prayer depends on ablution (wudu). Whoever has performed ablution correctly, it is as if he has performed half the prayer. Or, instead of "half," the meaning can be: ablution is an important part of faith.
➋ "They fill." Both, or each of them individually. The meaning of "filling" is that their reward is complete, not deficient.
➌ "The scale." For calculating everything, there is some kind of instrument. For accounting of deeds as well, there should be an instrument; that is the scale (mizan). There is no rational objection to this.
➍ "Is light." That is, prayer creates light in the heart and illuminates insight, through which a person can know the correct path of life and, by walking upon it, reach Paradise. Or, on the Day of Resurrection, light will be granted in exchange for prayer, or there will be light in the grave.
➎ "Is illumination." That is, with patience (sabr), a person safely passes through hardships. He does not wander in misguidance, or he will be granted illumination in the Hereafter.
➏ "For you or against you." If one acts upon the Noble Qur'an, then it is in his favor; otherwise, it is against him, for despite knowing the path of truth, he remained misguided.