Hadith #5461

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad (ﷺ) and his purified progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and upon his noble companions.

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

رَدُّ الشَّهْوَةِ أقْضى لَها وقَضائُها أشَدُّ لَها۔

This Hadith highlights the importance of repulsing and resisting our base desires, particularly the desire of lust. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that repulsing lust is more effective in exterminating it, while fulfilling it only makes it more intense.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (shahwah) "شَّهْوَةِ" refers to the intense desire or passion that arises within an individual. It can encompass various desires, including but not limited to sexual desires. The word (radd) "رَدُّ" means to repulse or reject, while (aqqada) "أقْضى" means to exterminate or eliminate. On the other hand, (qada'uhu) "قَضائُها" refers to fulfilling or satisfying the desire, and (ashaddu) "أشَدُّ" means more intense or stronger.

In light of the Quran, we find numerous verses that support the wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against following our desires blindly, as they can lead us astray. In Surah Yusuf (12:53), Allah says,

And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy.

This verse highlights the inherent inclination of the soul towards evil desires, which can only be overcome through the mercy of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Najm (53:32), Allah advises us to not follow our desires blindly, saying,

Then do not obey the deniers. They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].

This verse cautions us against succumbing to the desires of those who deny the truth, as it can lead us away from the path of righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to exercise self-control and discipline in the face of their desires. By repulsing and resisting our base desires, we are actively working towards eliminating them from our hearts and minds. This requires a conscious effort to redirect our thoughts and actions towards what is pleasing to Allah.

On the other hand, fulfilling our desires only serves to strengthen them. When we give in to our desires, we provide them with a temporary satisfaction, but this satisfaction is short-lived and often leads to a stronger craving for more. This is evident in various aspects of life, including addiction, where indulging in a desire only fuels the desire further.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wisdom in this Hadith can be applied to various aspects of our lives. For instance, when it comes to controlling our sexual desires, Islam encourages us to practice self-restraint and modesty. By resisting the temptation to engage in illicit relationships or indulge in pornography, we are actively working towards exterminating these desires and purifying our souls.

Similarly, this Hadith can be applied to other desires such as greed, anger, and envy. By resisting the urge to accumulate wealth unlawfully or harboring feelings of hatred and jealousy, we can weaken these desires and strive towards spiritual growth.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to repulse their base desires and exercise self-control. By resisting our desires, we actively work towards eliminating them, while fulfilling them only strengthens and intensifies them. This Hadith aligns perfectly with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of self-discipline and the dangers of following our desires blindly. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to repulse our base desires and strive towards spiritual purification.