Hadith #4681

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights two important means to achieve closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The first means is refraining from anger, and the second means is keeping away from the humiliation of asking others for help.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith. The word (kaffu) "كَفُّ" means "refraining" or "holding back," while (al-ghadab) "الغَضَبِ" refers to "anger." Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that refraining from anger is the best means to achieve closeness to Allah. This implies that anger can distance us from Allah and hinder our spiritual growth. The Quran supports this notion in several verses. For example, in Surah Al-Imran (3:134), Allah says,

Those who spend [in Allah's cause] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of controlling our anger and forgiving others, as it is beloved by Allah.

The second part of the Hadith focuses on (mazallat al-talab) "مَذَلَّةِ الطَّلَبِ", which can be translated as

the humiliation of asking.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to keep away from this humiliation. This does not mean that seeking help or assistance is inherently wrong, but rather it refers to the humiliation that may arise from constantly relying on others and feeling a sense of inferiority. The Quran also encourages self-reliance and independence. In Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah says,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse teaches us to seek strength and sustenance from Allah directly, rather than constantly relying on others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of these two means to achieve closeness to Allah because they have profound consequences in our lives. When we refrain from anger, we cultivate patience, tolerance, and forgiveness. This leads to harmonious relationships, peace within ourselves, and a sense of tranquility. Moreover, by keeping away from the humiliation of asking, we develop self-reliance, self-confidence, and a sense of dignity. This empowers us to face challenges and overcome difficulties with resilience and determination.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom. His teachings are deeply rooted in the Quran, and he provides practical guidance for Muslims to attain closeness to Allah. By refraining from anger and avoiding the humiliation of constantly seeking help, we can cultivate qualities that are pleasing to Allah and lead a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

May Allah guide us to implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives and grant us the strength to control our anger and strive for self-reliance. Ameen.