Hadith #10482

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,

مَنْ أطاعَ نَفْسَهُ قَتَلَها۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever obeys his soul kills it.

This profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) carries deep spiritual and moral implications, which can be understood by examining the key words in this Hadith.

The word (obey) "أطاعَ" refers to following or submitting to something or someone. In this context, it signifies the act of yielding to the desires and inclinations of one's own soul. The word (his soul) "نَفْسَهُ" refers to the inner self or the ego, which is prone to selfish desires and temptations. Finally, the word (kills it) "قَتَلَها" metaphorically implies the destruction or suppression of the ego.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 50: (28:50)

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 emphasizes the importance of self-control and the need to align our actions with the divine teachings.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Jathiya, verse 23, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states: (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 warns against making one's desires the ultimate authority in life, as it leads to spiritual blindness and deviation from the right path.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes these Quranic teachings by emphasizing the destructive consequences of blindly obeying one's ego. When a person becomes a slave to their desires, they lose sight of the higher purpose of life and the guidance provided by Allah. By prioritizing their own selfish desires over the commandments of Allah, they effectively kill their soul, depriving it of spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging Muslims to exercise self-discipline and self-control, recognizing that true obedience lies in submitting to the will of Allah rather than succumbing to the whims of the ego. By restraining our desires and aligning our actions with the teachings of Islam, we can nurture our souls and experience spiritual growth.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their intentions and actions, ensuring that they are in line with the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It encourages us to strive for self-improvement and to resist the temptations of our ego-driven desires. By doing so, we can attain a higher level of consciousness and draw closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Whoever obeys his soul kills it

serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to exercise self-discipline and to prioritize the obedience of Allah over the desires of the ego. By aligning our actions with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), we can nurture our souls and experience spiritual growth. May Allah grant us the strength to overcome our ego-driven desires and to strive for righteousness.