Hadith #5489

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ أماتَ شَهْوَتَهُ أحْيى مُرُوَّتَهُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

One who kills his lust rejuvenates his magnanimity.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its significance in light of the Quranic teachings.

The word (shahwah) "شَهْوَة" in Arabic refers to desires or passions that arise from our lower selves. These desires may include various forms of indulgence, such as gluttony, greed, lust, and other worldly pursuits. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to "kill" these desires, meaning to restrain and control them, in order to rejuvenate our (muruwwah) "مُرُوَّة", which can be translated as magnanimity, nobility, or higher virtues.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:201),

Indeed, those who fear Allah - when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight.

This verse highlights the importance of controlling our desires and turning to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) when faced with temptations. By doing so, we gain insight and wisdom, which leads to the rejuvenation of our moral character.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:77), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) as a man of great restraint and self-control. When he was tempted by the wife of the Aziz, he sought refuge in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and said,

Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of resisting our desires and seeking Allah's protection, as it leads to spiritual growth and the preservation of our noble qualities.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to kill our lusts, not in a literal sense, but rather to exercise self-control and discipline over our desires. By doing so, we can rejuvenate our magnanimity, which refers to our higher virtues and noble qualities. When we are able to overcome our base desires, we develop qualities such as patience, generosity, humility, and compassion. These virtues are essential for our spiritual growth and enable us to lead a righteous and fulfilling life.

For example, when we resist the temptation to indulge in excessive material possessions, we cultivate the virtue of contentment and gratitude. This allows us to appreciate the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to share our wealth with those in need. Similarly, when we control our desires for illicit relationships, we uphold the sanctity of marriage and promote healthy and respectful relationships within society.

The consequences of killing our lusts and rejuvenating our magnanimity are far-reaching. Not only do we attain spiritual growth and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but we also become a source of inspiration and guidance for others. Our actions and character serve as a reflection of our faith, and by embodying noble qualities, we can positively influence those around us.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of self-control and discipline in overcoming our base desires. By killing our lusts, we rejuvenate our magnanimity and cultivate noble virtues. The Quranic verses mentioned support this concept, emphasizing the significance of restraining our desires and seeking Allah's guidance. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to control our desires and develop our moral character, and may we be among those who are guided by the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).