Hadith #10568

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) emphasizes the importance of purifying one's soul from every lowly trait, even if it leads to the fulfillment of our desires. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this amazing Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (nazziḥ) "نَزِّهْ" in the Hadith means to purify or cleanse. It implies removing impurities and negative traits from one's soul. This purification process is not limited to external actions but extends to the inner self as well. It is a call to strive for moral excellence and spiritual purity.

The phrase (nafsaka) "نَفْسَكَ" refers to one's own self or soul. It is a reminder that the responsibility for purifying our souls lies within ourselves. We must take the initiative to identify and eliminate any lowly traits that may tarnish our character.

The term (daniyyah) "دَنِيَّة" in the Hadith refers to lowly or base traits. These are the qualities that are contrary to the teachings of Islam and hinder our spiritual growth. Examples of such traits include arrogance, envy, greed, and dishonesty. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to distance ourselves from these negative qualities.

To understand the significance of purifying our souls, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Shams (91:9-10):

He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who instills it [with corruption].

This verse highlights the importance of purifying our souls, as success in the sight of Allah is contingent upon this purification.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:176), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes those who follow their desires as being like cattle. This serves as a reminder that succumbing to our base desires without purification of the soul reduces us to a level lower than that of animals. Hence, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to rise above our desires and strive for spiritual elevation.

The second part of the Hadith states,

even if it drives you towards the things that you desire.

This phrase highlights the difficulty of purifying our souls. Often, our desires can lead us astray and tempt us to compromise our moral values. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that the pursuit of our desires should not overshadow the importance of maintaining moral integrity.

To further emphasize this point, we can refer to Surah Al-Qasas (28:77), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises Prophet Musa (Moses) to flee from Pharaoh's tyranny, even though he desired to stay and confront him. This demonstrates that sometimes, even our desires can lead us towards harmful or sinful paths. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize the purification of our souls over the fulfillment of our desires.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to purify their souls from lowly traits, regardless of the temptations they may face. It emphasizes the importance of moral integrity and spiritual growth, even if it means sacrificing the fulfillment of our desires. By striving for purification, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the path of righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to purify our souls and attain success in this world and the hereafter.