Hadith #6393

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,

When Allah wishes good for a servant, He safeguards his stomach and private parts from the unlawful.

This Hadith emphasizes the concept of taqwa (God-consciousness) and the importance of adhering to the boundaries set by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) regarding our physical desires and needs.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (a'afa) "أعَفَّ" means to protect, safeguard, or preserve. It implies that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) shields the stomach and private parts of His servant from engaging in unlawful acts. The word (batnah) "بَطْنَهُ" refers to the stomach, which symbolizes our physical nourishment and sustenance. The word (farjah) "فَرْجَهُ" refers to the private parts, which represent our sexual desires and intimacy.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:157),

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the role of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in guiding the believers towards what is right and forbidding what is wrong. Similarly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), as the rightful successor of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the gate to the city of knowledge, possessed immense wisdom and knowledge. He provided guidance to the Muslims in various aspects of life, including matters related to halal (lawful) and haram (unlawful).

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:32),

Say, 'Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?' Say, 'They are for those who believe during the worldly life [but] exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection.' Thus do We detail the verses for a people who know.

This verse reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has provided us with lawful provisions and blessings, and it is our duty to consume them in a permissible manner. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasized the importance of adhering to the halal and avoiding the haram, as it is a sign of Allah's favor and protection upon His servant.

By safeguarding our stomach and private parts from the unlawful, we not only fulfill our physical needs in a permissible manner but also protect ourselves from the spiritual and moral consequences of engaging in forbidden acts. This Hadith teaches us the importance of self-control, discipline, and moderation in our desires, as they have a direct impact on our spiritual well-being.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to strive for righteousness and to seek Allah's pleasure in all aspects of our lives. When Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) wishes good for His servant, He grants them the ability to resist temptations and to adhere to the boundaries set by Him. This protection and preservation of our stomach and private parts from the unlawful is a manifestation of Allah's mercy and guidance.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of taqwa and the significance of adhering to the halal and avoiding the haram. By safeguarding our stomach and private parts from the unlawful, we demonstrate our obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His pleasure. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to follow the path of righteousness and protect us from the temptations of the unlawful.