Hadith #8733

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,

حارِبُوا هذِهِ القُلُوبَ فَإنَّها سَريعَةُ العِثارِ

This can be translated as,

Wage war against these hearts [and their desires], for indeed they are quick to stumble (or get obliterated).

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this amazing Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (qulub) "قُلُوبَ" refers to the hearts, which symbolize the innermost core of a person's being. It encompasses their thoughts, intentions, and desires. The word (sari'atu) "سَريعَةُ" means quick or swift, indicating the rapidity with which these hearts can stumble or get obliterated. And the word (ithar) "عِثارِ" can be understood as stumbling or falling into sin.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of purifying our hearts and guarding them against evil desires. Allah says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:7),

And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided.

This verse highlights the significance of having faith firmly rooted in our hearts. It is through this faith that we can combat the temptations and desires that may lead us astray. Our hearts should be filled with love for Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), and we should strive to align our desires with the teachings of Islam.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:28), Allah says,

And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.

This verse reminds us that the material possessions and worldly desires that we may be inclined towards are merely a test from Allah. We must not allow these desires to overpower our hearts and lead us away from the path of righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement urges us to wage war against these hearts and their desires. It serves as a reminder that we must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against the influences that may lead us towards sin. We should constantly strive to purify our intentions and align them with the teachings of Islam.

When we wage war against our hearts and their desires, we are essentially engaging in a battle against our own selves. This battle requires self-discipline, self-control, and a deep understanding of our own weaknesses and vulnerabilities. It is a battle that requires constant vigilance and self-reflection.

By waging war against our hearts, we are actively seeking to overcome our own desires and inclinations that may lead us astray. We are striving to align our hearts with the will of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). This battle is not an easy one, but it is a necessary one if we seek to attain spiritual growth and closeness to Allah.

The consequences of neglecting this war against our hearts can be severe. If we allow our desires to control us, we risk stumbling into sin and distancing ourselves from the mercy and guidance of Allah. Our hearts can become hardened, and we may lose sight of our purpose in this world.

On the other hand, if we actively engage in this battle and strive to purify our hearts, we can experience immense spiritual growth and closeness to Allah. Our hearts will become a source of light and guidance, and we will find ourselves more inclined towards acts of righteousness and obedience to Allah.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for all Muslims to wage war against their own hearts and their desires. It emphasizes the importance of purifying our intentions and aligning them with the teachings of Islam. By actively engaging in this battle, we can attain spiritual growth, strengthen our relationship with Allah, and strive towards becoming better Muslims. May Allah guide us all in this journey and grant us success in purifying our hearts.