Hadith #4605

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,

مَنْ زَهِدَ هانَتْ عَلَيْهِ المِحَنُ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever renounces worldly pleasures, tribulations become easy for him [to bear].

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

The word (zahida) "زَهِدَ" in this Hadith is derived from the root word (zahada) "زَهَدَ", which means to renounce or detach oneself from worldly desires and pleasures. It signifies a state of contentment and detachment from material possessions, wealth, and worldly distractions. This concept of renunciation is emphasized in the Quran in various verses.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201),

And of them are some who say, 'Our Lord, grant us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'

This verse highlights the importance of seeking goodness in both this world and the Hereafter. However, it is crucial to note that the true essence of goodness lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah and not becoming attached to worldly possessions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us,

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 worldly possessions, including wealth and children, are merely temporary adornments. True success lies in performing righteous deeds that will benefit us in the Hereafter.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further states that when one renounces worldly pleasures, tribulations become easy to bear. This means that when a person detaches themselves from the materialistic aspects of this world, they develop a mindset that enables them to face trials and tribulations with patience and resilience.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) assures us,

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse reminds us that Allah is aware of our capabilities and will not burden us with trials that exceed our capacity to endure. When we renounce worldly pleasures, we strengthen our faith and trust in Allah, knowing that He will provide us with the strength to face any challenges that come our way.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself exemplified this quality of renunciation and resilience. His deep knowledge and understanding of the Quran enabled him to face numerous trials and tribulations throughout his life, including the battles he fought for the sake of Islam. Despite the hardships he endured, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) remained steadfast and unwavering in his faith, demonstrating the power of renouncing worldly pleasures.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of renouncing worldly pleasures and attachments. By detaching ourselves from materialistic desires, we develop a mindset that enables us to face trials and tribulations with patience and resilience. This concept is supported by various Quranic verses that emphasize the temporary nature of worldly possessions and the importance of seeking goodness for the sake of Allah. May we all strive to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and find strength in renouncing worldly pleasures for the sake of attaining true success in this life and the Hereafter.