Hadith #7062

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 pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

حَرامٌ عَلى كُلِّ عَقْل مَغْلُول (مَعْلُول) بِالشَّهْوَةِ أنْ يَنْتَفِعَ بِالحِكْمَةِ۔

This can be translated as,

It is forbidden upon every intellect that is shackled by (or sick with) lust to benefit from wisdom.

Let us delve into the important words in this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (intellect) "عَقْل" refers to the faculty of reasoning and understanding. It is the ability to discern between right and wrong, to make sound judgments, and to comprehend the deeper meanings of things. (shackled) "مَغْلُول" or (sick) "مَعْلُول" signifies a state of being restrained or impaired. It implies that the intellect is hindered or limited in its capacity to function properly. And finally, (lust) "شَّهْوَةِ" refers to the intense desire or craving for something, often associated with sensual or worldly pleasures.

To shed light on the profound wisdom contained in this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:179),

And certainly, We have created many of the jinn and mankind for Hell. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. They are like cattle, rather they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.

This verse highlights the consequences of allowing our desires and lusts to overpower our intellect. When the intellect is shackled by lust, it becomes incapable of understanding the truth and discerning between right and wrong. It is as if the heart, eyes, and ears of such individuals are impaired, and they are likened to cattle who are astray and heedless.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

But if they do not respond to you - then know that they only follow their own desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

This verse emphasizes the importance of aligning our desires with the guidance of Allah. When our intellect is clouded by unchecked desires, we become prone to following our own whims and fancies, disregarding the divine guidance. Such a path leads to misguidance and straying away from the straight path.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), through this Hadith, reminds us of the inherent danger in allowing our lusts and desires to dominate our intellect. When our intellect is shackled by lust, we become incapable of benefiting from wisdom. Wisdom is the light that illuminates our path, guiding us towards righteousness and truth. It is the ability to discern the deeper meanings of things, to make sound judgments, and to act in accordance with the divine teachings.

When the intellect is impaired by lust, it becomes biased, clouded, and unable to grasp the true essence of wisdom. It becomes a slave to its desires, seeking immediate gratification rather than long-term benefit. This leads to poor decision-making, moral corruption, and a deviation from the path of righteousness.

The consequences of allowing our lusts to overpower our intellect are far-reaching. It hinders our spiritual growth, distances us from Allah's guidance, and prevents us from attaining true wisdom and enlightenment. It is only by freeing our intellect from the shackles of lust that we can truly benefit from the wisdom bestowed upon us by Allah.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of self-discipline and self-control. We must strive to purify our hearts and minds from the influence of base desires. By doing so, we can elevate our intellect and allow it to flourish, enabling us to benefit from the wisdom found in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to overcome our lusts and desires, and may He bless us with the ability to benefit from true wisdom. Ameen.