Hadith #7172

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) emphasizes the importance of self-control and self-discipline in various situations. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its meaning and significance.

The first important word in this Hadith is (al-'aqil) "العاقل", which translates to "the intelligent person." This word refers to someone who possesses wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. It is important to note that intelligence in this context is not limited to intellectual capacity, but also encompasses emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

The next word is (yamliku) "يَمْلِكُ", which means "to control" or "to possess." In this Hadith, it refers to the ability to have mastery and control over oneself. It implies having the power to restrain and manage one's emotions, desires, and fears.

The Hadith then highlights three specific situations: (idha ghadhiba) "إذا غَضِبَ" meaning

when he gets angry,

(idha raghiba) "إذا رَغِبَ" meaning "when he desires," and (idha rahiba) "إذا رَهِبَ" meaning

when he is frightened.

To understand the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:134):

Those 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.

This verse emphasizes the importance of controlling anger, which aligns with the first part of the Hadith. It teaches us that true intelligence lies in restraining ourselves from reacting impulsively when we are angry. Instead, we should strive to respond with patience, forgiveness, and kindness.

Furthermore, in Surah Yusuf (12:53), we find the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) when he was tempted by the wife of the Aziz. Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) demonstrated immense self-control and refused her advances, saying:

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

This verse relates to the second part of the Hadith, which emphasizes the importance of self-control when faced with desires and temptations. It teaches us that true intelligence lies in resisting our base desires and seeking the mercy and forgiveness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Lastly, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:194), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.

This verse relates to the third part of the Hadith, which emphasizes the importance of self-control when facing fear. It teaches us that true intelligence lies in trusting Allah's wisdom and guidance, even when we are afraid. It reminds us that what we fear may not always be harmful, and what we desire may not always be beneficial.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of self-control in various aspects of our lives. It teaches us that true intelligence lies in mastering our emotions, desires, and fears, and responding to them in a manner that aligns with the teachings of the Quran. By exercising self-control, we can attain inner peace, strengthen our character, and ultimately seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to embody the teachings of this Hadith in our daily lives.