Hadith #10374

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he warns us about the deceptive nature of our souls. The word used in the Hadith is (khadu'un) "خَدُوعٌ", which refers to deception or trickery. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that our souls have the potential to deceive us, leading us astray from the path of righteousness.

To understand the depth of this warning, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says 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 soul towards evil and disobedience. It is a constant struggle to resist the temptations and desires that arise from within ourselves.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Does man think that We will not assemble his bones? Yes. We are Able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers.

This verse reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has complete control over our very being, including our souls. Therefore, it is crucial for us to recognize the potential for deception within ourselves and seek protection from it.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns that if we trust our souls blindly, Satan will take advantage of our vulnerability and lead us towards committing forbidden acts. Satan is our eternal enemy, always seeking to misguide and corrupt us. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-A'raf (7:27),

O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe.

Trusting our souls without caution can lead to disastrous consequences. We may fall into the trap of committing sins, indulging in forbidden desires, and straying away from the path of righteousness. It is essential for us to be vigilant and constantly evaluate our actions and intentions. We must seek guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to ensure that we are not deceived by our own souls.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize the importance of self-awareness and self-discipline. We must strive to purify our souls and strengthen our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This requires constant self-reflection, seeking forgiveness for our shortcomings, and actively resisting the temptations that arise from within ourselves. By doing so, we protect ourselves from the deception of our souls and the influence of Satan.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to recognize the deceptive nature of our souls and protect ourselves from falling into sin. May He guide us on the straight path and keep us steadfast in our faith. Ameen.