Hadith #11363

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "لاعَقْلَ مَعَ هَوىً۔" This can be translated as,

With vain desire there is no [reason and] intellect.

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (aql) "عَقْلَ" in this Hadith refers to reason, intellect, and rationality. It is the faculty of the mind that enables us to think, understand, and make sound judgments. It is a gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that distinguishes humans from other creatures. The word (hawa) "هَوىً۔" refers to vain desires, whims, and inclinations that are driven by personal preferences and emotions.

This Hadith highlights the conflict between reason and vain desires. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us that when we allow our vain desires to overpower our reason, we lose the ability to think clearly and make wise decisions. Our intellect becomes clouded and compromised by our whims and desires.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of using our intellect and reason to guide our actions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:43),

And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.

This verse highlights the importance of knowledge and understanding, which can only be attained through the proper use of reason and intellect.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises the believers regarding the pilgrimage, saying,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (piety). So fear Me, O you of understanding.

Here, Allah emphasizes the importance of Taqwa, which is achieved through the proper use of reason and intellect.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that we should not let our vain desires dictate our actions. We should strive to align our actions with reason and intellect, seeking guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

When we allow our vain desires to control us, we may engage in actions that are harmful to ourselves and others. For example, if we let our desire for material possessions overpower our reason, we may engage in dishonesty, theft, or exploitation. On the other hand, when we let reason guide our actions, we make choices that are beneficial and in line with the teachings of Islam.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was known for his exceptional knowledge and wisdom. He possessed a deep understanding of the Quran and its teachings. His words in this Hadith highlight the importance of using our intellect to discern between right and wrong, truth and falsehood.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) "لاعَقْلَ مَعَ هَوىً۔" serves as a reminder to Muslims to prioritize reason and intellect over vain desires. By doing so, we can make informed decisions that are in line with the teachings of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to use our intellect wisely and seek guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.