Hadith #7056

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), the Lord of all worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon His final messenger, Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his righteous companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The fruit of intellect is aversion to this world and subdual of vain desire.

This beautiful Hadith highlights the importance of using one's intellect to detach oneself from the materialistic allurements of this world and to control one's base desires.

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (intellect) "عَقْلِ" refers to the faculty of reasoning, understanding, and discernment that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has bestowed upon human beings. It is through the use of our intellect that we are able to distinguish between right and wrong, truth and falsehood.

The word (aversion) "مَقْتُ" signifies a strong dislike or repulsion towards something. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to detesting the worldly attachments and the pursuit of material possessions that distract us from our ultimate purpose in life.

The phrase (this world) "الدُّنيا" encompasses the transient and temporary nature of worldly possessions and pleasures. It reminds us that the true essence of life lies in the hereafter, and we should not become overly attached to the fleeting pleasures of this world.

The word (subdual) "قَمْعُ" refers to the act of restraining or controlling something. In this Hadith, it signifies the need to exercise self-control and discipline over our vain desires. By subduing our base desires, we can attain a higher level of spirituality and focus on the pursuit of eternal rewards.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 96:

And you will surely find them the most greedy of people for life - [even] more than those who associate others with Allah. One of them wishes that he could be granted life a thousand years, but it would not remove him in the least from the [coming] punishment that he should be granted life. And Allah is Seeing of what they do.

This verse emphasizes the danger of becoming excessively attached to the worldly life, as it can lead to greed and a neglect of one's spiritual growth. It serves as a reminder that the pursuit of worldly desires is ultimately futile and will not bring true happiness or salvation.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse beautifully illustrates the temporary nature of worldly pursuits and the deceptive allure of material possessions. It reminds us that the true purpose of life lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and preparing for the eternal life in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in this Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual growth and detachment from worldly distractions. By utilizing our intellect to recognize the transient nature of this world and by subduing our vain desires, we can attain a higher level of consciousness and focus on the pursuit of eternal rewards.

This Hadith encourages us to reflect upon our actions, motivations, and consequences. It urges us to evaluate our attachment to material possessions and worldly desires, and to redirect our focus towards the attainment of spiritual enlightenment and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of using our intellect to detach ourselves from the allurements of this world and to control our base desires. It reminds us that true success lies in prioritizing our spiritual growth and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May we all strive to implement the teachings of this Hadith in our lives and attain true success in this world and the Hereafter.