Hadith #5491

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,

مَنْ غَلَبَ شَهْوَتَهُ صانَ قَدْرَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who overcomes his lust, protects his status.

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quranic teachings.

The key word in this Hadith is (shahwah) "شَهْوَة", which refers to desires or lusts that arise within a person. It encompasses both physical and emotional desires that can lead one astray if not controlled. The word (saana) "صَانَ" means to protect or preserve, while (qadrah) "قَدْرَهُ" refers to one's status or honor.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of self-control and overcoming desires. In Surah Yusuf (12:53), we find the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) who resisted the advances of his master's wife, saying,

Indeed, he was of our chosen servants.

Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) protected his status and preserved his honor by overcoming his lust.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), the Quran narrates the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) who fled from Egypt after accidentally killing a man. He sought refuge in Madyan and helped two women draw water. When they returned to their father, he advised them to bring Musa to him, saying,

Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.

Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) protected his status by controlling his anger and not giving in to his desires.

These examples from the Quran highlight the importance of self-control and the preservation of one's status. When we overcome our desires, we demonstrate strength of character and maintain our dignity. By doing so, we protect our reputation and honor in the eyes of Allah and society.

Let us reflect on the consequences of failing to overcome our lusts. When we give in to our desires without restraint, we risk tarnishing our reputation, damaging our relationships, and straying from the path of righteousness. The Quran warns us in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them.

This verse cautions against mocking or belittling others based on their perceived shortcomings, as it can lead to the degradation of one's own status.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the importance of self-discipline and self-restraint. It encourages us to resist the temptations of our desires, whether they be physical or emotional, in order to safeguard our honor and maintain our dignity. By conquering our lusts, we demonstrate our commitment to righteousness and strengthen our relationship with Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the profound lesson of self-control and the preservation of our status. It urges us to overcome our desires and protect our honor, as exemplified by the stories of Prophet Yusuf and Prophet Musa in the Quran. May Allah grant us the strength to conquer our lusts and uphold our status as believers.