Hadith #10403

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,

حَلُّوا أنْفُسَكُمْ بِالْعَفافِ، وتَجَنَّبُوا التَّبْذِيرَ وَالإسْرافَ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of adorning our souls with chastity and avoiding wastefulness and extravagance.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (Halloo) "حَلُّوا" means to beautify or adorn. (Anfusakum) "أنْفُسَكُمْ" refers to our souls or inner selves. (bil-'afaf) "بِالْعَفافِ" means chastity, purity, and modesty. (tajannaboo) "تَجَنَّبُوا" means to avoid or stay away from. (at-tabadheer) "التَّبْذِيرَ" refers to wastefulness or extravagance. (wal-israaf) "وَالإسْرافَ" means excessiveness or indulgence.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:31),

O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.

This verse highlights the importance of moderation and avoiding extravagance in all aspects of our lives.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:32), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises,

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.

This verse emphasizes the significance of chastity and purity, which aligns with the first part of the Hadith.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, encourages us to beautify our souls with chastity. Chastity encompasses not only refraining from unlawful sexual acts but also maintaining purity in our thoughts, intentions, and actions. It is a virtue that cultivates self-discipline, self-respect, and a strong moral compass.

By adorning our souls with chastity, we protect ourselves from the spiritual and emotional harm that comes with indulging in immoral behavior. It allows us to maintain a sense of dignity, honor, and integrity, which are qualities highly regarded in Islam.

The second part of the Hadith advises us to avoid wastefulness and extravagance. Islam teaches us to be mindful of our resources and to use them wisely. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:26-27),

And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.

Extravagance and wastefulness not only harm us individually but also have negative consequences on society and the environment. By avoiding excessive spending and utilizing our resources responsibly, we can contribute to a more just and equitable society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of adorning our souls with chastity and avoiding wastefulness and extravagance. It calls upon us to cultivate purity and modesty in our thoughts and actions, while also encouraging us to be mindful of our resources and use them wisely. By following these teachings, we can attain spiritual growth, strengthen our character, and contribute to a more balanced and sustainable society. May Allah guide us all to embody these virtues and protect us from the temptations of excess and immorality.