Hadith #5205

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

In this profound Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes the state of those who have taken Satan as the overseer of their affairs. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) uses powerful imagery to convey the extent of their entanglement with Satan and the consequences of their actions.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by saying,

They have taken Satan as the overseer of their affairs.

This implies that these individuals have willingly chosen to follow Satan and have made him the controller of their actions and decisions. They have abandoned the guidance of Allah and have allowed Satan to have authority over them.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then states,

He has made them his partners [in crime].

This highlights the deep involvement of these individuals in Satan's evil plans. They have become complicit in his actions and have willingly joined him in committing sins and transgressions.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further describes the consequences of their association with Satan. He says,

So he hatches [his eggs] in their breasts and creeps and crawls into their laps.

This imagery signifies the infiltration of Satan into their hearts and minds. He plants his evil intentions and corrupts their thoughts, leading them astray from the path of righteousness.

Moreover, the Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

He sees with their eyes and speaks with their tongues.

This indicates that Satan manipulates their senses and faculties, using them as instruments to carry out his wicked plans. He distorts their perception of reality and influences their speech, leading them to propagate falsehood and engage in harmful actions.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) continues,

He leads them to misdeeds and adorns for them idle talk like the action of one whom Satan has made a partner in his domain and speaks falsehood through his tongue.

Here, the Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that Satan not only guides them towards sinful acts but also beautifies and justifies their idle and meaningless conversations. He deceives them into thinking that their words hold value, while in reality, they are mere distractions from the truth.

To understand the depth and significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for further guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 168:

O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

This verse reminds us of the importance of adhering to the lawful and good provisions of Allah and not following the path of Satan. It serves as a reminder that Satan is our clear enemy, and we must be cautious of his influence in our lives.

In Surah Al-A'raf, verse 200, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) further warns us:

And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.

This verse emphasizes the need to seek refuge in Allah when faced with the whisperings and temptations of Satan. It reminds us that Allah is All-Hearing and All-Knowing, and He is the ultimate source of protection and guidance.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we understand the dangers of allowing Satan to have control over our affairs. It is crucial for us as Muslims to be vigilant and constantly seek refuge in Allah from the influence of Satan. We must strive to align our actions, thoughts, and speech with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the whispers of Satan and guide us on the path of righteousness. May He grant us the wisdom and knowledge to recognize and reject the influence of Satan in our lives. And may He bless us with the strength to follow the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in seeking His pleasure and avoiding the traps of Satan.