Hadith #10397

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

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he provides us with a deep insight into the nature of human beings and the struggle between their desires and their certainty. Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (taghlibuhu) "تَغْلِبُهُ" refers to the dominance or overpowering of one's self or desires. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that a person who is being censured is dominated by their lower self, which is driven by assumptions and conjectures. This lower self, or (nafsuhu) "نَفْسُهُ", represents the base desires and inclinations within a person.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that this individual is unable to overpower their lower self with what they are certain of, or (ma yastaqinu) "ما يَسْتَيْقِنُ". This certainty refers to knowledge and understanding based on evidence and truth. It is the conviction that comes from deep reflection and contemplation.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then highlights the consequence of this imbalance. The person in question has made their vain desire, or (hawah) "هَواهُ", their master and ruler. They have allowed their base desires to dictate their actions and decisions, blindly following them in all aspects of their life.

To understand the profoundness of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance and support. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of knowledge, certainty, and self-control.

In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah says,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse encourages us to seek knowledge and verify information before making judgments or taking action. It warns against being driven by assumptions and conjectures, as Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentioned.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), Allah says,

Indeed, you [O Muhammad] do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse reminds us that true guidance comes from Allah alone. It is not based on our desires or assumptions but on the certainty that Allah grants to those who sincerely seek His guidance.

The consequences of allowing our base desires to dominate us are severe. In Surah Al-Jathiyah (45:23), Allah warns,

Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?

This verse highlights the spiritual blindness and loss of guidance that occurs when we prioritize our desires over the truth.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to strive for self-control, knowledge, and certainty. We should not let our assumptions and conjectures overpower us, but rather seek the truth and let it guide our actions. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of blindly following our base desires and ensure that we are on the path of righteousness.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims. It highlights the importance of knowledge, certainty, and self-control in our lives. We must strive to overcome our base desires and let the truth guide our actions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to follow the path of righteousness and protect us from being dominated by our lower selves.