Hadith #5470

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:

ظَفِرَ بِجَنَّةِ المَأوى مَنْ أعْرَضَ عَنْ شَهَواتِ الدُّنيا۔

This can be translated as:

He who turns away from the lustful desires of this world attains the Garden of Repose [in the Hereafter].

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (zafira) "ظَفِرَ" in the Hadith refers to attaining victory or triumph. It signifies achieving success in the ultimate sense, which is the attainment of Paradise. The word (jannati) "جَنَّةِ" means the Garden, referring to Paradise, the eternal abode of bliss and tranquility. (al-ma'wa) "المَأوى" means the place of refuge or repose, highlighting the serenity and peace that one will find in Paradise.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that the key to attaining this victory and Paradise lies in turning away from the lustful desires of this world, represented by the term (shahawat al-dunya) "شَهَواتِ الدُّنيا". These lustful desires include the pursuit of material wealth, worldly pleasures, and indulgence in sinful activities that distract us from the remembrance of Allah and the pursuit of righteousness.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. For example, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:14):

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

This verse highlights the allure and attractiveness of worldly desires, which can distract us from the ultimate goal of attaining Paradise. It reminds us that while the pleasures of this world may seem enticing, they are temporary and fleeting. True success lies in turning away from these desires and focusing on the eternal rewards of the Hereafter.

Another verse that resonates with the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse further emphasizes the transient nature of worldly pursuits and the delusion they create. It reminds us that the real purpose of our existence is to seek the pleasure of Allah and strive for the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. By turning away from the lustful desires of this world, we detach ourselves from the temporary and focus on the everlasting.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual journey over worldly temptations. By resisting the allure of materialism and indulgence, we can attain victory in the form of Paradise, the ultimate abode of peace and tranquility. This Hadith encourages us to reflect on our actions, motivations, and consequences, urging us to make choices that align with the teachings of Islam and lead us closer to Allah's pleasure.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of turning away from the lustful desires of this world in order to attain the eternal bliss of Paradise. It reminds us that true success lies in prioritizing our spiritual journey and seeking the pleasure of Allah. May we all strive to follow the guidance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and attain victory in the Hereafter by detaching ourselves from worldly temptations and focusing on the everlasting rewards of the Hereafter.