Hadith #9938

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the concept of death as a relief for those who are enslaved by their desires and imprisoned by their vain desires. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that as one's life prolongs, their sins increase and their offenses against their own soul become worse.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound Hadith by examining its key words and phrases. The word (rahatun) "راحَةٌ" refers to relief or comfort, indicating that death can bring solace to those who have been consumed by their desires. The term (abd shahwatihi) "عَبْدَ شَهْوَتِهِ" refers to someone who is a slave to their lust, implying that their desires control and dominate their actions. Similarly, the phrase (asira ahwiyatihi) "أسْيرَ أهْوِيَتِهِ" describes someone who is a prisoner of their vain desires, suggesting that their whims and fancies hold them captive.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Jathiya (45:23), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?

This verse highlights the consequences of being enslaved by one's desires. When desires become the ultimate goal and are given precedence over the guidance of Allah, it leads to a state of being astray and a loss of spiritual insight.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

But if they do not respond to you - then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah?

This verse emphasizes the danger of following one's desires without seeking guidance from Allah. It highlights the importance of aligning our desires with the teachings of Islam and seeking guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in the Hadith reflects the understanding that a life consumed by desires and vain pursuits leads to an increase in sins and offenses against one's own soul. The longer one lives in this state, the more their sins accumulate, and the worse their spiritual condition becomes. Death, in this context, is seen as a relief because it brings an end to the cycle of sin and provides an opportunity for the soul to be freed from the shackles of desires and vain pursuits.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their own lives and assess the extent to which their desires and vain pursuits control their actions. It encourages us to strive for self-discipline and to prioritize the guidance of Allah over our own whims and fancies. By doing so, we can avoid falling into the trap of being enslaved by our desires and imprisoned by our vain desires.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the concept of death as a relief for those who are enslaved by their desires and imprisoned by their vain desires. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize the guidance of Allah over their own desires and to strive for self-discipline. By doing so, we can avoid the accumulation of sins and offenses against our own souls, and ultimately find solace in the relief that death brings. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to overcome our desires and seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.