Hadith #11406

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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, "لاعَدُوَّ كَالهَوى۔" This beautiful saying can be translated as,

There is no enemy like vain desire.

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

The word (la'aduwwa) "لاعَدُوَّ" in this Hadith refers to an enemy or adversary. It signifies something that opposes and threatens us, seeking to lead us astray from the path of righteousness. In this context, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is drawing our attention to the most dangerous enemy we face: our own vain desires.

The term (kal-hawa) "كَالهَوى" refers to vain desires or whims. It encompasses our base desires and inclinations that often lead us away from the path of righteousness. These desires can manifest in various forms, such as greed, lust, pride, and envy. They can cloud our judgment, weaken our resolve, and hinder our spiritual growth.

To understand the gravity of this statement, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Yusuf (12:53),

And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy.

Here, Allah acknowledges the inherent inclination of the soul towards evil, highlighting the constant struggle we face in overcoming our desires.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), Allah reminds us,

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?

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from Allah and not succumbing to our own desires, as doing so leads to deviation and misguidance.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to recognize the dangers posed by our vain desires. These desires can lead us astray from the path of righteousness, causing us to engage in sinful actions and neglect our duties towards Allah and our fellow human beings. They can blind us to the consequences of our actions and prevent us from attaining spiritual growth and closeness to Allah.

To illustrate the detrimental effects of vain desires, let us consider the example of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). When faced with the temptation of Zulaykha, he firmly resisted his desires and chose to remain steadfast in his faith. His unwavering commitment to righteousness and his ability to overcome his own desires serve as a powerful example for us to emulate.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, is reminding us that our greatest enemy lies within ourselves. It is our own vain desires that pose the greatest threat to our spiritual well-being. By recognizing and actively resisting these desires, we can strive towards self-improvement and seek the pleasure of Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be vigilant against the dangers of our own vain desires. It highlights the need to constantly strive against our base inclinations and seek guidance from Allah to overcome these temptations. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from spiritual harm and attain true success in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah grant us the strength and wisdom to overcome our vain desires and remain steadfast on the path of righteousness.