Hadith #9684

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights two important qualities that are essential for a person's moral and spiritual development. The first quality is "mulk al-ghadab" which translates to "controlling one's anger" and the second quality is "imatatu al-shahwa" which means

killing one's lustful desires.

To understand the significance of these qualities, let us delve into the Quranic verses that shed light on the importance of controlling anger and suppressing lustful desires.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:134):

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 anger and restraining oneself from acting upon it. It is a quality that is beloved to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and is a characteristic of those who do good. When a person is able to control their anger, they are able to maintain peace and harmony in their relationships, avoid conflicts, and make rational decisions.

Similarly, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:201), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Indeed, those who fear Allah - when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight.

This verse highlights the importance of self-control and mindfulness in the face of temptations and desires. When a person is able to resist their lustful desires and remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), they gain insight and are able to make righteous choices. This self-restraint is a sign of piety and a means of attaining closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Now, let us reflect on the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's statement. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes controlling one's anger as the "most honourable magnanimity." This implies that true honor and nobility lie in having the ability to control one's anger and not letting it dictate one's actions. It is easy to react impulsively in moments of anger, but it takes strength and wisdom to remain calm and composed.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) also speaks of

killing one's lustful desires.

This means that one should strive to suppress and overcome their base desires and inclinations. Lustful desires, if left unchecked, can lead a person astray and cause them to engage in sinful behavior. By killing these desires, one purifies their soul and strengthens their spiritual connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The consequences of practicing these qualities are far-reaching. By controlling anger, a person can maintain harmonious relationships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and avoid the regret that often follows impulsive actions. By killing lustful desires, a person can protect themselves from engaging in immoral and harmful behavior, and instead, focus on fulfilling their responsibilities towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and their fellow human beings.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of controlling anger and suppressing lustful desires. These qualities are not only praised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in the Quran but also lead to personal growth, harmonious relationships, and spiritual development. As Muslims, we should strive to embody these qualities in our daily lives, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the betterment of ourselves and society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to control our anger and suppress our lustful desires.