Hadith #5207

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of standing against Satan through struggle and overpowering him through opposition. This Hadith highlights the significance of actively resisting the temptations and whispers of Satan in order to purify our souls and elevate our statuses in the sight of Allah.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of the important words mentioned in this Hadith. The word (saffu) "صافُّوا" means to stand against or resist. It implies actively opposing and confronting the evil whispers of Satan. The word (ash-shaytan) "الشَّيْطانَ" refers to Satan, the ultimate enemy of mankind who seeks to lead us astray from the path of righteousness. The word (mujahadah) "مُجاهَدَةِ" means struggle or striving. It signifies the effort and determination required to resist Satan's temptations.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises us to (aghlibuhu bil-mukhalafah) "أغْلِبُوهُ بِالْمُخالَفَةِ", which means to overpower Satan by opposition. This implies that we should actively go against the desires and temptations that Satan presents to us. By doing so, we demonstrate our commitment to following the path of righteousness and obedience to Allah.

The Hadith then states, (tazkoo anfusukum) "تَزْكُوا أنْفُسُكُمْ", which translates to

your souls will be purified.

This highlights the transformative effect of resisting Satan's whispers. When we actively strive against his temptations, we purify our souls from the impurities of sin and disobedience. This purification leads to spiritual growth and a closer connection with Allah.

Finally, the Hadith concludes with the phrase, (wata'lu 'inda Allahi darajatukum)

وَتَعْلُوا عِنْدَ اللّهِ دَرَجاتُكُمْ

which means

your statuses will be elevated in the sight of Allah.

By resisting Satan and striving against his temptations, we not only purify our souls but also increase our ranks and statuses in the eyes of Allah. This elevation in status is a result of our sincere efforts to please Allah and our commitment to righteousness.

The exegesis of this Hadith can be further supported by various Quranic verses. For example, Allah says in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:45),

Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.

This verse emphasizes the importance of prayer and remembrance of Allah as a means to resist Satan and prevent ourselves from falling into immorality and wrongdoing.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Isra (17:81), Allah says,

And say: 'Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature], ever bound to depart.'

This verse highlights the eternal struggle between truth and falsehood, between the path of righteousness and the path of Satan. By actively opposing falsehood and following the truth, we align ourselves with the divine and elevate our statuses in the sight of Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of actively resisting Satan's temptations and striving against his whispers. By doing so, we purify our souls, strengthen our connection with Allah, and elevate our statuses in His sight. Let us strive to implement the teachings of this Hadith in our lives, seeking Allah's guidance and protection from the whispers of Satan. May Allah grant us the strength to stand against Satan and elevate our ranks in His sight.