Hadith #1264

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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 warns us about the hypocrisy of claiming to have faith while being consumed by worldly desires and deceitful amusements. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (mashghoof) "مَشْغُوفٌ" in the Hadith refers to being infatuated or captivated by something. It signifies a state of being completely engrossed in worldly pursuits, to the extent that it becomes the sole focus of one's life. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us that if we claim to have faith while being consumed by these misleading aspirations and false amusements, then we are indeed lying.

To understand the gravity of this warning, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20) that the life of this world is nothing but a fleeting enjoyment, and the true abode is the Hereafter. Those who are infatuated by the temporary pleasures of this world are neglecting the everlasting rewards of the Hereafter and are thus deceiving themselves.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran (3:14), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes those who prefer the worldly life over the Hereafter as having a

disease in their hearts.

This disease refers to a spiritual ailment that blinds them from the truth and prevents them from attaining true faith. They are captivated by the allurements of this world, which leads them astray and hinders their spiritual growth.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of sincerity and true faith in this Hadith. He reminds us that claiming to have faith is not enough; it must be accompanied by actions that reflect our beliefs. If we are truly believers, our hearts should be filled with the love of Allah and a desire to seek His pleasure. We should prioritize the Hereafter over the temporary pleasures of this world.

The consequences of being infatuated by worldly desires and false amusements are severe. It leads to a spiritual emptiness, a lack of purpose, and a disconnect from the true essence of faith. Such individuals may engage in acts of hypocrisy, pretending to be pious while their hearts are filled with worldly attachments. They may deceive themselves and others, but they cannot deceive Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) who knows the true state of their hearts.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we must evaluate our own lives and assess whether we are truly prioritizing our faith over worldly distractions. Are we striving to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all aspects of our lives, or are we being swayed by the false allurements of this temporary world? Let us remember that true faith requires a constant struggle against the temptations of this world and a sincere commitment to seeking the pleasure of Allah.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to overcome the distractions of this world and to remain steadfast in our faith. May He purify our hearts from the love of worldly possessions and fill them with the love of Him and His Messenger (ﷺ). May He grant us the wisdom to prioritize the Hereafter and to strive for eternal success. And may He protect us from the deception of false amusements and misleading aspirations. Ameen.