Hadith #11325

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "الهوى عدو متبوع" which translates to

Vain desire is an obeyed enemy.

Let us delve into the significance of this statement in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (al-hawa) "الهوى" refers to vain desires or whims, which are the inclinations of the self that deviate from the path of righteousness. These desires can lead one astray and become an obstacle in their journey towards attaining closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). (aduww) "عدو" means enemy, someone who opposes and harms. And (muttabi') "متبوع" means obeyed or followed.

To comprehend the depth of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Yusuf (12:53),

And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse highlights the inherent inclination of the self towards evil desires, which can lead us astray if not controlled.

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

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 that those who follow their desires without seeking guidance from Allah are indeed misguided.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the dangerous nature of vain desires. When we allow our desires to dictate our actions and decisions, we become slaves to our own whims, making them an enemy that we willingly obey. By succumbing to our desires, we deviate from the path of righteousness and distance ourselves from the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

For instance, when we prioritize material possessions, wealth, or worldly pleasures over our spiritual growth and the pursuit of righteousness, we are following our vain desires. This can lead to greed, selfishness, and a neglect of our responsibilities towards others. In Surah Al-Isra (17:64), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

And incite [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your horses and foot soldiers and become a partner in their wealth and their children and promise them.

This verse highlights how our desires can be manipulated by external forces, leading us away from the path of truth.

The consequences of obeying vain desires are severe. In Surah Al-Jathiya (45:23), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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 that when we prioritize our desires over the guidance of Allah, we are led astray, and our hearts and minds become veiled from the truth.

Reflecting on Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement, we are reminded of the importance of self-control and the need to align our desires with the teachings of Islam. By recognizing and resisting our vain desires, we can overcome the enemy within ourselves and strive towards righteousness. We must seek guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to navigate through the challenges posed by our desires.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims. Vain desires, when obeyed, become our enemies, leading us away from the path of righteousness. By recognizing the dangers of following our whims and aligning our desires with the teachings of Islam, we can overcome this enemy within ourselves and strive towards attaining the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah grant us the strength and wisdom to resist our vain desires and seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.