Hadith #11358

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ قَوِيَ هَواهُ ضَعُفَ عَزْمُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One whose vain desire is strong, his resolve becomes weak.

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

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (qawiya) "قَوِيَ" means strong, powerful, or intense. It refers to the strength or intensity of one's desires, inclinations, or whims. (hawah) "هَوَاهُ" refers to vain desires, whims, or passions that are not in line with the guidance of Allah. Lastly, (da'ufa) "ضَعُفَ" means weak or feeble, and (azmuhu) "عَزْمُهُ" refers to one's resolve, determination, or willpower.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yusuf (12:53), Allah says,

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

This verse highlights the inherent inclination of the human soul towards evil desires and whims. It is a reminder that our desires can lead us astray if we do not have control over them.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), Allah warns us about the consequences of following our vain desires. He says,

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?

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from Allah and not allowing our desires to dictate our actions.

Now, let us reflect on the profound wisdom contained in Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement. When our vain desires are strong, they overpower our resolve and weaken our willpower to do what is right. Our desires become the driving force behind our actions, leading us away from the path of righteousness. This weakens our determination to resist temptations and make choices that align with the teachings of Islam.

For example, if a person's desire for wealth and material possessions becomes overpowering, they may resort to unethical means to acquire wealth, such as engaging in fraud or exploitation. Their resolve to uphold honesty and integrity becomes weak in the face of their intense desire for worldly gains. This is a clear manifestation of the principle mentioned in the Hadith.

Conversely, when we have a strong resolve and willpower, we are better equipped to resist the temptations of our vain desires. This is beautifully illustrated in the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) in the Quran. Despite facing immense temptation from the wife of the Egyptian minister, Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) remained steadfast in his resolve to uphold his faith and resist the forbidden. His strong determination enabled him to overcome his desires and maintain his integrity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant in controlling their vain desires. It highlights the importance of nurturing a strong resolve and willpower to resist temptations and make choices that are pleasing to Allah. By seeking guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his purified progeny, we can strengthen our resolve and align our actions with the principles of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to overcome our vain desires and strengthen our resolve to follow the path of righteousness.