Hadith #1862

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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) states,

The highest form of struggle is for a man to struggle against his self.

This enlightening Hadith emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, self-discipline, and self-improvement in the path of spirituality.

Let us delve into the words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (mujahadah) "مُجاهَدَةِ" refers to struggle or striving, particularly in the context of spiritual endeavors. It encompasses the effort to overcome one's inner weaknesses, desires, and temptations. The word (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ" translates to "his self" or "his own soul." It signifies the internal battle against one's base desires and inclinations.

To comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 29:69)

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse highlights the concept of striving for the sake of Allah, which includes the struggle against one's own self.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Asr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) declares, (Quran 103:1-3)

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the importance of self-improvement and mutual encouragement towards righteousness.

The exegesis of this Hadith revolves around the idea that the greatest battle a person can engage in is the battle against their own self. This struggle involves recognizing and combating the negative traits and desires within oneself, such as arrogance, greed, anger, and jealousy. By striving to overcome these inner vices, one can attain spiritual growth and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of self-struggle because it is the foundation upon which all other forms of jihad are built. It is through conquering our own selves that we become better individuals, capable of positively influencing those around us and contributing to the betterment of society.

When a person engages in the struggle against their own self, they develop self-awareness and self-control. They become conscious of their actions, thoughts, and intentions, striving to align them with the teachings of Islam. This self-discipline helps in resisting temptations and avoiding sinful behavior.

The consequences of this struggle are profound. By purifying our souls and striving against our own weaknesses, we become more virtuous and closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Our actions become more sincere and our intentions become more pure. This struggle also leads to the development of noble qualities such as patience, humility, and gratitude.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that the struggle against our own selves is a lifelong journey. It requires constant self-evaluation, self-correction, and seeking forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a struggle that demands perseverance and determination, but the rewards are immense.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the highest form of struggle, which is the struggle against one's own self. It calls upon Muslims to engage in self-reflection, self-discipline, and self-improvement in order to attain spiritual growth and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By striving against our own weaknesses and desires, we become better individuals, capable of positively impacting our own lives and the lives of others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to embark on this noble journey of self-struggle.