Hadith #10180

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

اَلاِسْتِهْتارُ بِالنِّساءِ شِيمَةُ النَّوْكى۔

This can be translated as,

Being infatuated with women is the trait of the foolish.

In this exegesis, we will explore the significance behind this statement in light of the Quranic teachings.

The word (al-istihtar) "اَلاِسْتِهْتارُ" refers to being infatuated or captivated by something or someone. It implies a state of being overwhelmed by desire or attraction. The word (bin-nisaa) "بِالنِّساءِ" means "with women." And the phrase (sheematu an-nawki) "شِيمَةُ النَّوْكى۔" can be translated as

the trait of the foolish.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 14, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the fleeting nature of worldly desires and attractions. He says,

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

This verse reminds us that the love and attraction we feel towards worldly pleasures, including women, is temporary and transient. It is a test from Allah, and we should not allow ourselves to be consumed by these desires. Instead, we should focus on seeking the pleasure of Allah and preparing for the eternal life in the Hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us to prioritize our relationship with Him over worldly attachments. He 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 highlights the temporary nature of worldly attractions and emphasizes the importance of focusing on our spiritual growth and connection with Allah. It reminds us that the pursuit of worldly desires, including infatuation with women, can distract us from our ultimate purpose in life.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, warns against being infatuated with women. This does not mean that Islam prohibits love or attraction towards the opposite gender, but rather it cautions against allowing these desires to control and consume us. It advises us to maintain a balanced approach towards relationships and to prioritize our spiritual growth and connection with Allah.

Being infatuated with women, or anyone or anything for that matter, can lead to irrational behavior, loss of focus, and neglect of one's responsibilities. It can cloud one's judgment and hinder their ability to make wise decisions. This is why Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) refers to it as

the trait of the foolish.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to develop a balanced approach towards our relationships and desires. We should remember that our ultimate purpose in life is to seek the pleasure of Allah and prepare for the Hereafter. By prioritizing our spiritual growth and connection with Allah, we can navigate the challenges of worldly attractions and maintain a balanced and wise approach towards relationships.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). May He protect us from being infatuated with worldly desires and help us maintain a balanced and focused approach towards our relationships. Ameen.