Hadith #3850

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ عَصَى الدُّنيا أطاعَتْهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who disobeys this world is obeyed by it.

Let us delve into the essence of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (disobeys) "عَصَى" in this Hadith refers to going against the desires and temptations of this worldly life. It signifies resisting the allure of material possessions, wealth, power, and other worldly pleasures that may distract one from the path of righteousness. By choosing to disobey the temptations of this world, one is able to attain a higher level of obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This concept of prioritizing obedience to Allah over the desires of this world is beautifully emphasized in the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran, verse 14: (Quran 3:14)

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 attractions of this world may seem appealing, but they are temporary and fleeting. True success lies in prioritizing the obedience of Allah and seeking His pleasure, as He is the ultimate source of all blessings and rewards.

When Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that one who disobeys this world is obeyed by it, he is highlighting the fact that when we detach ourselves from the materialistic pursuits of this world, we gain control over it. By not being enslaved to the desires and temptations of this world, we are able to rise above it and become its master.

This concept is further reinforced in the Quran in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46: (Quran 18:46)

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.

Here, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us that the true adornments of this worldly life are not wealth and children, but rather the enduring good deeds that we perform. These good deeds are what truly matter in the sight of Allah and hold eternal value.

When we prioritize obedience to Allah over the desires of this world, we are able to detach ourselves from the temporary pleasures it offers. This detachment allows us to focus on the pursuit of righteousness and the performance of good deeds that will benefit us in this life and the hereafter.

By disobeying the temptations of this world, we gain control over our desires and become masters of our own selves. We are no longer enslaved to the pursuit of wealth, status, or material possessions. Instead, we become obedient to Allah and His commands, which leads to true success and contentment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us through this Hadith that true obedience lies in prioritizing the commands of Allah over the allure of this world. By doing so, we gain control over the world and become its masters, rather than being enslaved to its temporary pleasures.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to prioritize obedience to Him over the temptations of this world. May we strive to detach ourselves from the materialistic pursuits and focus on performing enduring good deeds that will bring us closer to Him. Ameen.