Hadith #6879

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 phrase of the Hadith is (kama tash'tahi 'iffatan) "كَمَا تَشْتَهِي عِفَّةً", which has been translated as

Just as you desire, be chaste.

This Hadith, attributed to Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), emphasizes the importance of maintaining chastity and self-restraint in one's desires and actions.

The word (iffah) "عِفَّةً" comes from the root word (afa) "عَفَا", which means to refrain or abstain. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to refraining from indulging in unlawful desires and maintaining purity in one's thoughts, words, and actions.

The concept of chastity and self-restraint is emphasized in the Quran as well. In Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:5-6), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the qualities of the believers, saying,

And they who guard their private parts, except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed.

This verse highlights the importance of controlling one's desires and limiting sexual relations to the permissible bounds of marriage.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Nur (24:30-31), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises both men and women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty, saying,

Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do. And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women.

From these Quranic verses, we can understand that chastity is not limited to sexual purity alone but extends to modesty in behavior, dress, and interactions with the opposite gender. It is a comprehensive concept that encompasses all aspects of a person's life.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for self-discipline and self-control in their desires. It encourages individuals to align their desires with the teachings of Islam and to avoid indulging in unlawful actions or behaviors that may lead to sin and spiritual degradation.

By practicing chastity, Muslims can protect themselves from the harmful consequences of immoral actions, such as the breakdown of families, the spread of diseases, and the erosion of moral values in society. It also cultivates a sense of inner peace, contentment, and purity of heart.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, exemplified this virtue throughout his life. His commitment to chastity and self-restraint serves as an inspiration for Muslims to strive for excellence in their character and conduct.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of maintaining chastity and self-restraint in all aspects of our lives. It urges us to align our desires with the teachings of Islam and to refrain from indulging in unlawful actions. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from the negative consequences of immorality and cultivate a sense of inner peace and purity. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to uphold the principles of chastity and righteousness in our lives.