Hadith #10914

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ تَوَرَّعَ عَنِ الشَّهَواتِ صانَ نَفْسَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever shuns lustful desires has safeguarded his soul.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (tawarra'a) "تَوَرَّعَ" refers to abstaining or refraining from something. In this context, it signifies the act of consciously avoiding or turning away from (al-shahawat) "الشَّهَواتِ", which are lustful desires or passions. (sana) "صانَ" means to protect or safeguard, and (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ" refers to one's own soul or self.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of self-restraint and guarding oneself against sinful desires. For instance, in Surah Al-Hashr (59:9), Allah says,

And those who came after them say, 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.'

This verse highlights the significance of purifying our hearts from any resentment or ill feelings towards our fellow believers. By restraining our desires and avoiding negative emotions, we protect our souls from the destructive consequences of harboring grudges or animosity.

Another verse that aligns with the message of the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Naziat (79:40), where Allah says,

But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah and restraining our souls from inclining towards unlawful desires. By doing so, we pave the way for attaining Paradise as our ultimate refuge.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to exercise self-control and discipline in the face of our carnal desires. It reminds us that by shunning lustful passions, we protect our souls from the spiritual and moral harm that can result from indulging in sinful behavior.

When we resist the temptations of the flesh, we develop a sense of inner strength and resilience. We become more mindful of our actions and choices, ensuring that they align with the teachings of Islam. By safeguarding our souls, we cultivate a state of purity and righteousness, which brings us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Moreover, the act of restraining our desires also has practical implications in our daily lives. It helps us maintain healthy relationships with others, as we are less likely to harm or exploit them for our own gratification. It enables us to prioritize the well-being and dignity of others over our own selfish desires.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to exercise self-restraint and protect their souls from the destructive consequences of lustful desires. By aligning our actions with the teachings of the Quran, we can lead a life of piety, righteousness, and inner peace. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to shun our base desires and safeguard our souls.