Hadith #10881

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

أفْضَلُ الوَرَعِ تَجَنُّبُ الشَّهَواتِ

which translates to

The best [form of] piety is keeping away from lustful desires.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of self-restraint and avoiding the temptations of one's desires.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this statement, let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. (al-wara') "الوَرَعِ" refers to piety, righteousness, and the act of restraining oneself from sinful actions. It encompasses a deep sense of God-consciousness and a constant awareness of one's actions. (tajannubu) "تَجَنُّبُ" means to avoid or stay away from something. And (ash-shahawat) "الشَّهَواتِ" refers to lustful desires or passions that can lead one astray from the path of righteousness.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. For instance, in Surah Al-An'am (6:151), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Say, 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason.'

This verse highlights the importance of avoiding immoralities and lustful desires. It is a reminder that Allah has prohibited engaging in any form of immorality, whether it is apparent or concealed. By restraining ourselves from such desires, we demonstrate our obedience to Allah and our commitment to living a righteous life.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Yusuf (12:24), where Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) is praised for his righteousness and his ability to resist temptation. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants.

This verse highlights the story of Prophet Yusuf, who was faced with the temptation of a woman who sought to seduce him. However, due to his piety and fear of Allah, he was able to resist her advances. This serves as a powerful example of the importance of self-restraint and the consequences of succumbing to one's desires.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's statement. The best form of piety is not only refraining from committing sinful actions but also actively avoiding situations and circumstances that may lead to the arousal of lustful desires. By doing so, we protect ourselves from falling into the traps of immorality and maintain a strong connection with Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, emphasized the significance of self-restraint and self-discipline. He understood that by keeping away from lustful desires, one can attain a higher level of spirituality and strengthen their relationship with Allah. This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their actions, thoughts, and surroundings, and to strive for a higher level of piety.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the best form of piety is to refrain from indulging in lustful desires. By avoiding situations that may lead to the arousal of such desires, we protect ourselves from falling into sin and maintain a strong connection with Allah. This Hadith is in line with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of self-restraint and the consequences of succumbing to one's desires. May Allah guide us all to follow the path of piety and righteousness.