Hadith #10419

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Deterring the soul from the vanities of this world is the fruit of reason.

This thought-provoking Hadith highlights the importance of restraining oneself from the allurements and distractions of worldly possessions. Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith.

The word (rad'u) "رَدْعُ" means to deter or restrain, implying a conscious effort to control and discipline one's desires. It signifies the act of preventing oneself from being captivated by the temporary pleasures and materialistic attractions of this world. This restraint is not a mere suppression of desires, but rather a conscious choice to prioritize the eternal over the transient.

The term (zakhārif ad-dunyā) "زَخَارِفِ الدُّنْيَا" refers to the vanities, adornments, and embellishments of the worldly life. These include wealth, power, fame, and all other material possessions that can distract us from our ultimate purpose in life. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the need to detach ourselves from these temporary attractions and focus on the pursuit of higher spiritual goals.

The phrase (thamaratu al-'aql) "ثَمَرَةُ الْعَقْلِ" translates to

the fruit of reason.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that the ability to restrain oneself from worldly vanities is a direct result of intellectual reasoning and wisdom. It is through the cultivation of a sound and rational mind that one can recognize the true value of the eternal and prioritize it over the fleeting pleasures of this world.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of the transient nature of worldly possessions and the importance of focusing on the hereafter. In Surah Al-Kahf (18:46), Allah says,

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse emphasizes that while worldly possessions may seem attractive, they are merely temporary adornments. The true value lies in the everlasting good deeds that we accumulate for the sake of Allah.

Another verse that resonates with the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), where Allah says,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

This verse serves as a reminder that the pleasures and attractions of this world are temporary and will eventually fade away. It is the pursuit of spiritual growth and the cultivation of reason that will bear lasting fruits.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement urges us to reflect on our priorities and make conscious efforts to detach ourselves from the distractions of this world. By exercising reason and wisdom, we can recognize the true value of the eternal and focus on actions that will benefit us in the hereafter. This does not mean that we should completely abandon worldly responsibilities, but rather that we should not allow them to consume our hearts and divert us from our ultimate purpose.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of restraining ourselves from the vanities of this world. By exercising reason and wisdom, we can detach ourselves from the temporary allurements and prioritize the pursuit of the eternal. Let us reflect on this profound teaching and strive to align our actions with the higher purpose of pleasing Allah and seeking His eternal pleasure. May Allah grant us the ability to restrain our souls and attain the fruit of reason.