Hadith #1765

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

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

None shall attain Paradise except the one who struggles against his [lower] self.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of self-struggle and self-discipline in the journey towards attaining Paradise.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith. The word (jahada) "جاهَدَ" translates to "struggles" or "exerts effort." It signifies a continuous and active struggle against one's own desires, inclinations, and weaknesses. This struggle is not limited to physical combat, but encompasses the spiritual and moral battles within oneself.

The term (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ" refers to one's lower self or ego. It represents the base desires and temptations that can lead a person astray from the path of righteousness. The struggle against the lower self involves resisting its temptations and striving to align one's actions with the teachings of Islam.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 29:69)

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse highlights the correlation between striving in the path of Allah and receiving His guidance. It reinforces the idea that Paradise is not easily attained, but requires sincere effort and struggle.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Asr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 103:1-3)

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the importance of righteous deeds and mutual advice towards truth and patience. It highlights the need for self-struggle and self-discipline in order to avoid loss and attain success.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder that Paradise is not easily obtained. It requires continuous effort and struggle against one's lower self. This struggle involves resisting temptations, controlling desires, and aligning one's actions with the teachings of Islam.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself was a paragon of knowledge and self-discipline. His unwavering commitment to righteousness and his exemplary character serve as an inspiration for Muslims to follow in his footsteps. By emulating his teachings and striving against our lower selves, we can hope to attain Paradise and the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The consequences of neglecting this struggle are grave. If one succumbs to the desires of their lower self and fails to exert effort in self-discipline, they risk straying from the path of righteousness. This can lead to spiritual stagnation, moral decay, and ultimately, the loss of Paradise.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should evaluate our own lives and assess the extent of our self-struggle. Are we actively striving against our lower selves and making conscious efforts to align our actions with the teachings of Islam? Are we resisting temptations and seeking Allah's pleasure in all aspects of our lives?

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder of the importance of self-struggle and self-discipline in the journey towards attaining Paradise. It urges Muslims to actively resist their lower selves and strive for righteousness. By doing so, we can hope to receive Allah's guidance, attain success in this life and the Hereafter, and ultimately, be among the dwellers of Paradise. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and determination to engage in this struggle and attain His eternal pleasure.