Hadith #1752

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of self-restraint and abstaining from sinful actions in order to attain Paradise. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its connotation in light of the Quran.

The first word of significance in this Hadith is (tazdajira) "تَزْدَجِرَ", which means to restrain or hold oneself back. This implies that one must exercise self-control and refrain from engaging in misdeeds. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of self-restraint in the Quran in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 199:

Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

This verse encourages Muslims to restrain themselves from indulging in unlawful actions and to instead promote goodness and righteousness.

The second word of significance is (tantahiya) "تَنْتَهِيَ", which means to stop or cease. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to stopping oneself from committing sins. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands us to desist from evil in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 168:

O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

This verse urges Muslims to refrain from following the footsteps of Satan and to avoid engaging in sinful actions.

The third word of significance is (tartadia) "تَرْتَدِعَ", which means to deter or prevent oneself. It implies actively taking measures to distance oneself from committing sins. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us to deter ourselves from evil in Surah Al-Imran, verse 135:

And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness from Allah and actively deterring oneself from persisting in sinful actions.

The final word of significance is (tarawiya) "تَرعَوِيَ", which means to desist or abstain. It signifies the need to completely refrain from committing sins. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands us to abstain from evil in Surah Al-Hajj, verse 30:

That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah - it is best for him in the sight of his Lord.

This verse emphasizes the importance of honoring the sacred ordinances of Allah and refraining from engaging in sinful acts.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we understand that restraining ourselves from misdeeds, ceasing to commit sins, deterring ourselves from engaging in sinful actions, and abstaining from evil are essential steps towards attaining Paradise. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the importance of self-discipline and self-control in our journey towards the Hereafter.

By restraining ourselves from misdeeds, we cultivate a sense of self-awareness and self-discipline. This leads to a higher level of consciousness in our actions, enabling us to make better choices in accordance with the teachings of Islam. It motivates us to constantly strive for self-improvement and to seek forgiveness from Allah for our past transgressions.

Moreover, by deterring ourselves from sins and abstaining from evil, we protect ourselves from the spiritual and moral consequences of sinful actions. This leads to a purer and more virtuous lifestyle, fostering a stronger connection with Allah and a greater sense of inner peace and contentment.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to exercise self-restraint, cease committing sins, deter themselves from engaging in sinful actions, and abstain from evil. By adhering to these principles, we can strive towards attaining Paradise and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah grant us the strength and guidance to embody these teachings in our lives.