Hadith #11185

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The God-wary person is one whose lustful desire is dead, whose anger is suppressed, and who is thankful in times of comfort and patient in times of hardships.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the qualities and characteristics of a truly pious individual.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The first word is (muttaqi) "مُتَّقي", which refers to a person who is conscious of Allah's commands and seeks to fulfill them. This person is mindful of their actions and strives to avoid anything that displeases Allah. The second word is (shahwah) "شَهْوَةُ", which means lustful desire or passion. It refers to the base desires and inclinations that can lead a person astray from the path of righteousness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that the God-wary person is one whose lustful desire is dead. This means that they have successfully overcome their carnal desires and have attained a level of self-control. They are not driven by their desires, but rather by their commitment to pleasing Allah. This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran in Surah Al-Naziat, verse 40, where Allah says,

But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge.

The next important word in the Hadith is (ghayz) "غَيْظُ", which means anger. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that the God-wary person is one whose anger is suppressed. This means that they have control over their emotions, particularly anger, and do not let it dictate their actions. They are able to remain calm and composed even in the face of provocation. This quality is emphasized in the Quran in Surah Al-Imran, verse 134, where Allah says,

Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

The Hadith further states that the God-wary person is thankful in times of comfort and patient in times of hardships. This highlights the importance of gratitude and patience in the life of a believer. In times of ease and comfort, they express gratitude to Allah for His blessings and recognize that all good comes from Him. In times of hardship and adversity, they remain patient, knowing that Allah is testing them and that there is wisdom and reward in their trials. This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 155, where Allah says,

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to strive for self-control, gratitude, and patience. By conquering our desires, suppressing our anger, and maintaining a state of gratitude and patience, we can attain a higher level of piety and closeness to Allah. This Hadith encourages us to reflect on our own actions and strive to embody these qualities in our daily lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be among the God-wary, and may He bless us with the strength to overcome our desires, control our anger, and remain grateful and patient in all circumstances.