Hadith #10608

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to control various aspects of our behavior, specifically the passion of our soul, the intensity of our rage, the power of our hand, and the sharpness of our tongue. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to exercise restraint and caution in these matters, emphasizing the importance of delaying our actions and refraining from using force until our anger subsides and our rationality returns.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. "Hamīyah" refers to the passion or desire within oneself. "Sūrat" denotes the intensity or severity of anger. "Sawtah" signifies the power or force in one's hand. "Ghurbah" refers to the sharpness or harshness of one's tongue. These words highlight the different aspects of our behavior that need to be controlled and regulated.

The Quran provides guidance on the importance of controlling our passions and emotions. In Surah Al-Imran (3:134), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Those who control their anger and forgive people, Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the virtue of restraining our anger and forgiving others, which aligns with the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Furthermore, the Quran advises us to speak in a gentle and kind manner. In Surah Al-Isra (17:53), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Tell My servants to speak in a gentle manner. Surely, Satan sows discord among them. Indeed, Satan is an open enemy to mankind.

This verse highlights the importance of using gentle and respectful speech, which is in line with Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice to guard against the sharpness of our tongues.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions. By controlling our passions, anger, physical force, and speech, we can prevent harm to ourselves and others. For example, if we allow our anger to dictate our actions, we may say or do things that we later regret. By delaying our response and allowing our anger to subside, we can make more rational and wise decisions.

Moreover, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-control. By recognizing our own weaknesses and vulnerabilities, we can take steps to prevent them from causing harm. This self-awareness allows us to develop a sense of responsibility and accountability for our actions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to exercise self-control in various aspects of their behavior. By controlling our passions, anger, physical force, and speech, we can avoid causing harm to ourselves and others. This guidance aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of controlling our emotions and speaking in a gentle manner. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives and attain His pleasure.