Hadith #11359

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ رَكِبَ هَواهُ زَلَّ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever embarks on his vain desire slips.

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (rakiba) "رَكِبَ" means to embark or ride upon, while (hawah) "هَوَاهُ" refers to one's vain desires or whims. The word (zalla) "زَلَّ" means to slip or deviate from the right path. This Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be cautious of following their own whims and desires, as doing so can lead to deviation and misguidance.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly warns us in the Quran about the dangers of following our own desires. In Surah Al-Jathiyah (45:23), Allah says,

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 emphasizes that when one follows their own desires instead of the guidance of Allah, they are led astray and their hearts and minds become sealed. They become blind to the truth and are in need of guidance. Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), Allah 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.

These verses highlight the consequences of following one's own desires without seeking guidance from Allah. It leads to misguidance and wrongdoing, distancing oneself from the straight path. It is a slippery slope that can lead to spiritual and moral decline.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their desires and to prioritize the guidance of Allah over their own whims. By doing so, we protect ourselves from slipping and deviating from the path of righteousness.

For example, let us consider a person who is tempted by materialistic desires and becomes consumed by the pursuit of wealth and worldly possessions. They may engage in unethical practices, such as cheating or exploiting others, in order to fulfill their desires. In doing so, they slip further away from the teachings of Islam and the path of righteousness.

On the other hand, if a person recognizes the dangers of following their own desires and strives to align their actions with the guidance of Allah, they are more likely to remain steadfast on the straight path. They prioritize fulfilling the commands of Allah and seeking His pleasure over the fleeting satisfaction of their own desires.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of self-discipline and self-control. We must constantly evaluate our intentions and actions, ensuring that they are in line with the teachings of Islam. By doing so, we protect ourselves from slipping into the depths of misguidance and remain firmly on the path of righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be cautious of following their own whims and desires. It warns us of the slippery slope that can lead to deviation and misguidance. By prioritizing the guidance of Allah over our own desires, we protect ourselves from slipping and remain steadfast on the path of righteousness. May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to overcome our vain desires and seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.