Hadith #10445

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.

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

طَهِّرُوا أنْفُسَكُمْ مِنْ دَنَسِ الشَّهَواتِ تُدْرِكُوا رَفِيعَ الدَّرَجاتِ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of purifying our souls from the impurities of lustful desires in order to attain lofty stations in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (tahhiru) "طَهِّرُوا" means to purify or cleanse. It implies the removal of impurities and the attainment of purity. (anfusakum) "أنْفُسَكُمْ" refers to our souls or inner selves. It is a call to purify our inner beings, our thoughts, intentions, and desires. (danas) "دَنَسِ" means filth or impurity, and (ash-shahawat) "الشَّهَواتِ" refers to lustful desires or passions. Finally, (tudriku) "تُدْرِكُوا" means to attain or achieve, and (rafi'a ad-darajat) "رَفِيعَ الدَّرَجاتِ" means lofty stations or ranks.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of purifying our souls and restraining our desires. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:179), Allah says,

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 to control us. When we indulge in lustful desires without restraint, our hearts become veiled, our understanding becomes clouded, and we become heedless of the consequences of our actions. We are likened to cattle, driven solely by our base instincts.

On the other hand, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) promises great rewards for those who purify their souls and control their desires. In Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:22-23), Allah says,

No! Rather, man desires to continue in sin. He asks, 'When is the Day of Resurrection?' So when vision is dazzled, and the moon darkens.

These verses highlight the contrast between the desires of the worldly life and the ultimate reality of the Day of Resurrection. Those who are consumed by their lustful desires are blinded by their own desires and fail to recognize the true purpose of their existence. They become oblivious to the signs of the Day of Resurrection and the consequences of their actions.

In contrast, those who purify their souls and control their desires are granted lofty stations in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). In Surah Al-A'raf (7:42), Allah says,

And We made the Children of Israel inheritors of the Book, and We gave them judgment and prophethood. And We provided them with good things and favored them over the worlds.

This verse highlights how Allah bestows His blessings and favors upon those who purify themselves and follow His guidance. The Children of Israel were granted knowledge, wisdom, and prophethood because of their commitment to purifying their souls and adhering to the teachings of Allah.

Therefore, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to purify their souls from the filth of lustful desires. By doing so, we can attain lofty stations in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This purification involves controlling our desires, aligning our actions with the teachings of the Quran, and striving for spiritual growth.

When we purify our souls, we become more conscious of our intentions and actions. We develop a deeper understanding of the purpose of our existence and strive to please Allah in all aspects of our lives. This purification leads to a higher level of spirituality, increased closeness to Allah, and the attainment of inner peace and tranquility.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to purify their souls from the filth of lustful desires in order to attain lofty stations in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By controlling our desires and aligning our actions with the teachings of the Quran, we can strive for spiritual growth and develop a deeper connection with our Creator. May Allah grant us the strength and guidance to purify our souls and attain the lofty stations He has promised.