Hadith #11390

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) warns us to be cautious of the (هَوَىٰ) "hawa", which refers to vain desires or whims. This Hadith emphasizes the detrimental nature of these desires, as they have the power to pull the souls down and distance them from success and prosperity.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. (هَوَىٰ) "Hawa" refers to desires that are driven by personal inclinations and whims, rather than guided by reason and divine guidance. It is a state where one's desires and passions overpower their intellect and lead them astray. The word (هُوِيّاً) "hawiyyan" describes the action of dropping or sinking, indicating the negative consequences of following these vain desires. And (قَصِيّاً) "qasyyan" signifies the act of becoming distanced or far away from something.

To further comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50) about the consequences of following vain desires:

But if they do not respond to you - then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking guidance from Allah and not allowing our desires to lead us astray. Following our whims without divine guidance can only result in misguidance and distance from success. Allah further emphasizes the dangers of following vain desires in Surah Al-Jathiyah (45:23):

Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?

This verse illustrates the consequences of making our own desires our god, as it leads to being misguided by Allah Himself. It highlights the importance of seeking knowledge and guidance from Allah, rather than blindly following our own desires.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the dangers of succumbing to vain desires. These desires can cloud our judgment, lead us away from the path of righteousness, and hinder our spiritual growth. They can distract us from our ultimate goal of attaining success and prosperity in this life and the Hereafter.

By cautioning against the pull of vain desires, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to exercise self-control and seek guidance from Allah and His teachings. We must strive to align our desires with the principles and values outlined in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This requires constant self-reflection, self-discipline, and a conscious effort to prioritize the pleasure of Allah over our own fleeting desires.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the vain desires that can lead us astray. By seeking guidance from Allah and aligning our desires with His teachings, we can overcome the pull of these desires and strive towards success and prosperity in this life and the Hereafter. May Allah protect us from the temptations of vain desires and grant us the strength to follow the path of righteousness.