Hadith #10467

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

كُنْ وَصِيَّ نَفْسِكَ وافْعَلْ في مالِكَ ما تُحِبُّ أنْ يَفْعَلَهُ فيهِ غَيْرُكَ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of self-accountability and responsible stewardship over one's own soul and possessions.

Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. (wasiyya) "وَصِيَّ" translates to "guardian" or "steward." It refers to the responsibility of taking care of something entrusted to you. (nafsika) "نَفْسِكَ" means "your own soul" or "yourself." (malika) "مالِكَ" refers to "your possessions" or "your wealth." (tuhibbu) "تُحِبُّ" means "you love" or "you desire." (yaf'alahu) "يَفْعَلَهُ" translates to

to do with it

or

to act upon it.

(ghayruka) "غَيْرُكَ" means "other than you" or "someone else."

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:18):

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse highlights the importance of self-reflection and accountability. We are reminded to be conscious of our actions and to consider the consequences of our choices. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes this sentiment by urging us to be the guardians of our own souls. We must take responsibility for our actions and strive to do what is pleasing to Allah.

Furthermore, the Quran emphasizes the concept of responsible stewardship in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:188):

And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].

This verse warns against the unjust acquisition of wealth and highlights the importance of treating others' possessions with fairness and integrity. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith aligns with this Quranic principle by urging us to do with our possessions what we would like others to do with them. It encourages us to be honest, just, and considerate in our dealings with wealth.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder of our individual responsibility towards ourselves and our possessions. It calls us to reflect on our actions and to align them with the teachings of Islam. By being the guardians of our own souls, we can strive for self-improvement and spiritual growth. By treating our possessions with fairness and integrity, we can contribute to a just and harmonious society.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to take responsibility for our own souls and to act with integrity in our dealings with possessions. It aligns with the Quranic teachings of self-reflection, accountability, and responsible stewardship. As Muslims, we should strive to embody these principles in our daily lives, seeking the pleasure of Allah and the betterment of ourselves and society. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness.