Hadith #5468

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

طاعَةُ الشَّهْوَةِ تُفْسِدُ الدّينَ۔

This can be translated as,

Obeying one’s lust corrupts the faith.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (ta'at) "طاعَةُ" refers to obedience, submission, or compliance. (ash-shahwa) "الشَّهْوَةِ" refers to one's desires, inclinations, or lusts. And (tufsidu) "تُفْسِدُ" means to corrupt, spoil, or ruin. Finally, (ad-din) "الدّينَ" refers to faith, religion, or the complete way of life.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 50,

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?

This verse highlights the danger of blindly following one's desires without seeking guidance from Allah. It leads to deviation and straying from the right path.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Jathiyah, verse 23, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 emphasizes that when one prioritizes their desires over the guidance of Allah, they become misguided and their hearts and minds become sealed from receiving divine guidance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith warns us about the detrimental consequences of obeying our lusts and desires. When we allow our desires to dictate our actions, we risk compromising our faith and straying from the path of righteousness. Our faith should be based on the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

For example, let us consider the desire for wealth and material possessions. If one becomes consumed by the pursuit of wealth and prioritizes it above all else, they may engage in unethical practices, such as fraud or exploitation, to fulfill their desires. This not only corrupts their own faith but also harms others in the process. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 188,

And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].

This verse reminds us that pursuing our desires at the expense of others is a grave sin and leads to the corruption of our faith.

Similarly, the desire for power and authority can also lead to corruption. When individuals seek power for personal gain or to oppress others, they deviate from the teachings of Islam. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah An-Nisa, verse 29,

O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.

This verse reminds us that using power unjustly or causing harm to others is contrary to the teachings of Islam and corrupts our faith.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be cautious of blindly obeying their desires. By prioritizing our desires over the guidance of Allah and the teachings of Islam, we risk corrupting our faith and straying from the right path. It is essential for us to seek knowledge, reflect on the Quranic teachings, and follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in order to safeguard our faith and lead a righteous life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to resist the temptations of our desires and remain steadfast on the path of righteousness.