Hadith #10576

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad (ﷺ) and his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, as well as his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

نُفُوسُ الأبْرارِ تَأْبى أفْعالَ الفُجّارِ

which translates to

The souls of the virtuous are repulsed by the actions of the wicked.

This profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked, and how their actions affect the souls of those who possess goodness within them.

To delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words. "نُفُوسُ" refers to the souls or inner beings of individuals, representing their core essence and spirituality. "الأبْرارِ" refers to the virtuous or righteous individuals who strive to uphold piety and righteousness in their actions and intentions. On the other hand, "أفْعالَ" refers to the actions or deeds performed by individuals, while "الفُجّارِ" refers to the wicked or sinful individuals who engage in immoral and sinful acts.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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 emphasizes the inherent nature of the believers to detest disbelief, defiance, and disobedience. It is ingrained within the souls of the virtuous to be repulsed by the actions of the wicked. This repulsion stems from the love and attachment to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the desire to please Him by adhering to His commands and avoiding sinful behavior.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:96), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the righteous as those who

repel evil with good.

This verse highlights the proactive nature of the virtuous in rejecting and opposing evil actions. The virtuous individuals, guided by their strong faith and moral compass, actively strive to combat wickedness and promote goodness in society.

The consequences of this repulsion towards the actions of the wicked are profound. It serves as a motivation for the virtuous to distance themselves from sinful behavior and to strive for righteousness. The repulsion acts as a safeguard for their souls, protecting them from being influenced or tainted by the immoral actions of others. It also serves as a reminder for the virtuous to remain steadfast in their commitment to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to continuously seek His pleasure.

Moreover, this Hadith highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with righteous company and avoiding the company of the wicked. The souls of the virtuous naturally gravitate towards those who share their values and principles, while being repelled by those who engage in sinful behavior. This serves as a reminder for Muslims to carefully choose their companions and to seek the company of those who inspire and encourage them towards goodness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the inherent repulsion that the souls of the virtuous feel towards the actions of the wicked. This repulsion is rooted in the love and attachment to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the desire to please Him. It serves as a motivation for the virtuous to distance themselves from sinful behavior, actively combat evil, and seek the company of the righteous. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to uphold righteousness and protect our souls from the influence of wickedness.