Hadith #10186

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

Whoever [constantly] delights in women, his mind gets corrupted.

This Hadith highlights the negative consequences of constantly indulging in worldly pleasures, specifically in relation to women. To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and their implications.

The word (istamta'a) "استمتع" in Arabic refers to deriving pleasure or enjoyment from something. In this context, it signifies indulging excessively in the desires and pleasures associated with women. The word (nisaa) "نساء" refers to women. It is important to note that this Hadith does not condemn the natural and lawful enjoyment of marital relations, but rather warns against an excessive and obsessive attachment to such pleasures.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Imran, verse 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 worldly desires, including the love and attachment to women, are temporary and fleeting, and should not distract us from our ultimate purpose in life - seeking the pleasure of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

These verses from the Quran emphasize the temporary nature of worldly pleasures and the need to prioritize the pursuit of the Hereafter. Indulging excessively in the pleasures of this world, including an obsessive attachment to women, can lead to a corruption of the mind and a deviation from the path of righteousness.

The consequences of constantly delighting in women can manifest in various ways. Firstly, it can lead to a distorted perception of reality, where one becomes consumed by their desires and loses sight of their true purpose in life. This can result in neglecting one's responsibilities, both towards oneself and others, as well as neglecting the worship of Allah.

Secondly, constantly indulging in worldly pleasures can lead to a weakening of one's spiritual resolve and a decrease in their commitment to fulfilling their religious obligations. This can result in a decline in moral values and ethical conduct, as one becomes more focused on satisfying their desires rather than adhering to the teachings of Islam.

Moreover, an excessive attachment to women can also lead to the objectification of women, reducing them to mere objects of pleasure rather than recognizing their inherent dignity and worth as human beings. This goes against the teachings of Islam, which emphasize the importance of treating all individuals with respect and dignity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims of the potential dangers of constantly indulging in worldly pleasures, specifically in relation to women. It warns against an excessive attachment to such pleasures, which can corrupt the mind and divert one from the path of righteousness. By prioritizing the pursuit of the Hereafter and maintaining a balanced approach towards worldly pleasures, Muslims can strive to lead a life that is pleasing to Allah and beneficial to themselves and society as a whole. May Allah guide us all on the straight path and protect us from the temptations of this world.