Hadith #11340

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 family, his noble companions, and all the righteous Muslims until the Day of Judgment.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "طاعَةُ الهَوى تُرْدي۔" This can be translated as,

Submitting to vain desire causes ruin.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings of this wise utterance in light of the Quran.

The word (ta'atu) "طاعَةُ" refers to obedience or submission. It implies following the commands and guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His Messenger (ﷺ). It is an act of surrendering one's will to the divine will. On the other hand, (al-hawa) "الهَوى" refers to vain desires or whims. It represents the inclinations and passions that arise from our lower selves, often leading us astray from the path of righteousness.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against following our vain desires and emphasizes the importance of submitting to His commands. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 50, Allah says, (Quran 28:50)

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? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

This verse highlights the consequences of blindly following one's vain desires. It leads to straying from the right path and ultimately results in ruin. When we prioritize our own desires over the commands of Allah, we lose sight of what is truly beneficial for us in this world and the hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, warns us about the destructive nature of submitting to vain desires. He reminds us that such submission leads to ruin, both in this life and in the hereafter. By following our whims, we become slaves to our own desires, neglecting the guidance and wisdom that Allah has bestowed upon us.

Let us reflect on the consequences of submitting to vain desires. When we indulge in forbidden actions or neglect our religious obligations due to our whims, we distance ourselves from the mercy and guidance of Allah. We may find temporary pleasure or satisfaction in fulfilling our desires, but in the long run, it only brings us pain, regret, and spiritual decline.

For example, if a person succumbs to the temptation of engaging in unlawful financial transactions to accumulate wealth, they may experience short-term gains. However, the consequences of such actions can be severe, both in this world and in the hereafter. They may face legal consequences, loss of reputation, and most importantly, they will be held accountable for their actions on the Day of Judgment.

Similarly, if a person prioritizes their desires over fulfilling their religious obligations, they may experience temporary worldly pleasures. However, they will miss out on the immense blessings and rewards that come with obeying Allah's commands. They may also face spiritual emptiness and a sense of dissatisfaction, as true contentment can only be found in aligning our actions with the pleasure of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be vigilant in recognizing and resisting the temptations of their vain desires. It urges us to prioritize the obedience of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) over our own inclinations. By doing so, we protect ourselves from the ruinous consequences of following our whims and ensure our success in this life and the hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Submitting to vain desire causes ruin

serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize the obedience of Allah over their own desires. It warns us about the destructive nature of following our whims and emphasizes the importance of aligning our actions with the divine guidance found in the Quran. May Allah protect us from the influence of our vain desires and grant us the strength to submit to His commands.