Hadith #11405

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,

لاتَكُونُوا عَبيدَ الأهْواءِ والمَطامِعِ۔

This can be translated as,

Do not be a slave to vain desires and coveted objects.

In this amazing Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to refrain from becoming enslaved to their whims and materialistic desires.

To understand the depth of this advice, let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (ahwa) "أهْواءِ" refers to vain desires, inclinations, or whims. It encompasses any desire that deviates from the path of righteousness and leads one astray. The word (matamie) "مَطامِعِ" refers to coveted objects or possessions that one excessively desires and seeks to acquire.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly warns against following one's desires and materialistic pursuits. In Surah Al-Jathiyah (45:23), Allah says,

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 emphasizes the danger of blindly following one's desires, as it leads to being misguided and veiled from the truth. Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), Allah warns,

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.

These verses highlight the consequences of being enslaved to one's desires. It leads to straying from the right path and being deprived of divine guidance. Such individuals become misguided and prone to wrongdoing, as their desires become their ultimate authority.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious and vigilant against the allure of their whims and materialistic pursuits. By resisting the temptation to fulfill every desire and acquire every coveted object, we can free ourselves from the shackles of our own desires and maintain control over our actions.

Being a slave to vain desires and coveted objects has far-reaching consequences. It hinders spiritual growth, weakens our relationship with Allah, and distracts us from fulfilling our true purpose in life. It can lead to greed, selfishness, and a disregard for the well-being of others. By prioritizing materialistic pursuits, we risk neglecting our obligations towards Allah and our fellow human beings.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice encourages Muslims to strive for self-discipline and self-control. It reminds us to align our desires with the teachings of Islam and to seek contentment in the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon us. By resisting the temptation to constantly chase after worldly possessions, we can focus on nurturing our spiritual well-being and developing qualities such as gratitude, patience, and generosity.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound advice serves as a timeless reminder for Muslims to resist becoming slaves to their vain desires and materialistic pursuits. By prioritizing spiritual growth and aligning our desires with the teachings of Islam, we can attain true contentment and lead a fulfilling life in this world and the hereafter. May Allah grant us the strength to overcome our desires and seek His pleasure above all else.