Hadith #5032

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the 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,

The most difficult of administrative policies is the removal of habits [and customs].

This impactful saying highlights the challenges faced when trying to change established practices and customs within a society. To fully understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of its key words.

The word (siyasat) "سياسات" refers to administrative policies or governance. It encompasses the principles and strategies employed in managing the affairs of a community or state. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that among all the policies, the most arduous one is the (naql) "نقل" or removal of (al-'adat) "العادات", which translates to habits or customs.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find verses that shed light on the importance and challenges of changing established customs and habits. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Rum (30:41),

Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].

This verse highlights the consequences of corrupt practices that have become deeply ingrained in society. It suggests that the removal of such customs is necessary for people to return to righteousness. However, it also implies that changing established habits is a challenging task, as they have permeated every aspect of society.

Another verse that supports the difficulty in removing customs is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:57), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And they say, 'If we were to follow the guidance with you, we would be swept from our land.' Have we not established for them a safe sanctuary to which are brought the fruits of all things as provision from Us? But most of them do not know.

This verse illustrates the resistance faced by those who seek to bring about change. The people mentioned in the verse fear that following the guidance would lead to their displacement from their land. This fear of losing their familiar customs and practices hinders their willingness to embrace change.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement holds immense wisdom and relevance in our contemporary world. It reminds us that altering deeply rooted habits and customs requires great effort and perseverance. It is not merely a matter of implementing new policies but also of addressing the psychological and emotional attachment people have to their customs.

To illustrate this, let us consider the example of eradicating corruption in a society. Corruption often becomes a deeply ingrained habit, affecting various aspects of life, including politics, economics, and social interactions. Removing this habit requires not only implementing strict laws and regulations but also changing the mindset and values of individuals. It necessitates creating awareness, providing education, and fostering a culture of integrity and accountability.

Similarly, in the context of personal development, breaking bad habits such as procrastination or unhealthy lifestyle choices can be extremely challenging. These habits have become deeply ingrained in our daily routines, and changing them requires conscious effort, self-discipline, and a strong motivation to improve oneself.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the difficulty in removing established customs and habits. It serves as a reminder that changing deeply ingrained practices requires patience, perseverance, and a comprehensive approach that addresses both the external policies and the internal psychological and emotional attachments. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to overcome our negative habits and customs and guide us towards righteousness.