Hadith #1768

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

نالَ الجَنَّةَ مَنِ اتَّقى عَنِ المَحارِمِ۔

This can be translated as,

One who shuns what is forbidden shall attain Paradise.

Let us now delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quranic teachings.

The word (ittaqaa) "اتَّقى" in the Hadith refers to the act of being conscious of Allah's commands and prohibitions, and acting accordingly. It encompasses the concept of taqwa, which is the fear and awareness of Allah's presence, leading to righteous actions and avoidance of sinful deeds. The word (ani) "عَنِ" means "from" or "away from," indicating that one should distance themselves from what is forbidden.

To understand the significance of shunning what is forbidden, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:7),

And what Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the [stranded] traveler - so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

This verse emphasizes the importance of adhering to what the Messenger (ﷺ) has forbidden. It is a command from Allah Himself to abstain from what is prohibited. By doing so, we demonstrate our obedience to Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), and this obedience is a means to attain Paradise.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:157), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the role of the Messenger (ﷺ) in guiding the believers towards what is right and forbidding what is wrong. By following the Messenger's teachings and avoiding what he has prohibited, we align ourselves with the path of success and righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to be conscious of their actions and choices. It emphasizes the importance of self-restraint and self-discipline in avoiding what is forbidden. By doing so, we purify our souls and strive towards attaining Paradise.

The consequences of shunning what is forbidden are profound. It leads to spiritual growth, inner peace, and a stronger connection with Allah. When we consciously avoid what is prohibited, we protect ourselves from the harmful consequences of sinful actions. This, in turn, allows us to lead a more virtuous and fulfilling life.

Moreover, the act of shunning what is forbidden is not limited to avoiding major sins. It extends to abstaining from minor sins as well. By being mindful of even the smallest transgressions, we develop a heightened sense of taqwa and a greater awareness of Allah's presence in our lives.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the importance of taqwa and the significance of shunning what is forbidden. It serves as a call to action for Muslims to be conscious of their choices and to strive towards righteousness. By adhering to this guidance, we can attain Paradise and experience the eternal bliss promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah grant us the strength and wisdom to follow the path of taqwa and attain His pleasure.