Hadith #5992

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,

أفْضَلُ الطّاعاتِ هَجْرُ اللَّذّاتِ۔

This can be translated as,

The best [act of] obedience is turning away from [worldly] pleasures.

Let us delve into the significance of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ta'at) "طاعات" in the Hadith refers to acts of obedience or submission to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encompasses all actions that are in accordance with His commandments and teachings. The word (hijr) "هجر" means to turn away or abandon, while (al-latha) "اللذات" refers to worldly pleasures or desires.

This Hadith highlights the significance of prioritizing the obedience of Allah over indulging in worldly pleasures. It emphasizes that the ultimate act of obedience is to detach oneself from the allurements of this temporary world and focus on the eternal rewards of the hereafter. This does not mean complete renunciation of worldly affairs, but rather a detachment from excessive attachment and preoccupation with them.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. In Surah Al-Imran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 9:24)

Say, 'If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.'

This verse emphasizes that true obedience to Allah requires prioritizing Him and His commands above all worldly attachments, including family, wealth, and personal desires. It highlights the importance of abandoning worldly pleasures when they conflict with the obedience to Allah.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Kahf, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 18:45)

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.

This verse reminds us of the transient nature of worldly pleasures. Just as rainwater nourishes the earth and brings forth vegetation, which eventually withers away, the pleasures of this world are temporary and fleeting. Therefore, it is wise to turn away from excessive attachment to them and focus on the everlasting rewards of the hereafter.

The exegesis of this Hadith teaches us that true obedience to Allah requires a conscious effort to detach ourselves from the distractions and temptations of this world. It encourages us to prioritize the pursuit of spiritual growth, righteousness, and the fulfillment of our obligations towards Allah and His creation.

By turning away from worldly pleasures, we develop self-discipline, strengthen our faith, and increase our devotion to Allah. This act of obedience brings us closer to Him and enables us to attain higher levels of spirituality. It also protects us from falling into the traps of materialism, greed, and heedlessness.

Moreover, this Hadith reminds us that the pursuit of worldly pleasures alone can lead to a life of emptiness and dissatisfaction. True contentment and fulfillment are found in the remembrance of Allah, the performance of good deeds, and the cultivation of a strong connection with Him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the best act of obedience is to turn away from worldly pleasures. This means prioritizing the obedience of Allah over excessive attachment to the transient delights of this world. By doing so, we can attain spiritual growth, strengthen our faith, and find true contentment and fulfillment. May Allah guide us all to prioritize His obedience and grant us the strength to detach ourselves from the distractions of this world.