Hadith #6031

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 the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of obedience to Allah and the rejection of vain desires. Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (mahmooda) "مَحْمُودَ", which means praiseworthy or commendable. This word emphasizes the need to follow a path that is approved and praised by Allah. It signifies a piety that is based on righteousness and adherence to the commands of Allah.

Allah, in the Quran, encourages us to adopt praiseworthy qualities and actions. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 104, Allah says,

And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of promoting goodness and righteousness, which aligns with the concept of (praiseworthy) "مَحْمُودَ" mentioned in the Hadith.

The second important word in the Hadith is (madmooma) "مَذْمُومَ", which means dispraised or condemned. It refers to vain desires or whims that lead a person away from the path of righteousness. These desires are driven by personal inclinations and often contradict the teachings of Islam.

Allah warns us against following our vain desires in the Quran. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 50, Allah says,

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 highlights the dangers of blindly following one's desires without seeking guidance from Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize obedience to Allah and to resist the temptations of their own desires. It encourages us to seek the path of righteousness and to strive for piety in all aspects of our lives.

By following praiseworthy piety, we align ourselves with the teachings of Islam and the guidance of Allah. This obedience leads to spiritual growth, contentment, and a sense of fulfillment. It allows us to develop a strong connection with Allah and to attain His pleasure.

On the other hand, opposing dispraised vain desires is crucial in order to protect ourselves from falling into sin and straying from the right path. Vain desires often lead to actions that are displeasing to Allah and detrimental to our spiritual well-being. By resisting these desires, we demonstrate our commitment to Allah and our determination to follow His guidance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful saying serves as a timeless reminder for Muslims to prioritize their obedience to Allah over their own desires. It encourages us to constantly evaluate our actions and intentions, ensuring that they align with the teachings of Islam. By doing so, we can strive towards attaining the ultimate success in this life and the hereafter.

May Allah guide us all to follow praiseworthy piety and protect us from the influence of dispraised vain desires. May He grant us the strength and wisdom to always choose the path that pleases Him. Ameen.