Hadith #10381

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

Verily your soul is your riding mount, if you make it carry more than it can bear, you will kill it and if you treat it with kindness, you will save it.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. The word "nafs" refers to the soul or the self. It is the essence of our being, the inner self that encompasses our thoughts, desires, and emotions. The word "matiyyah" means riding mount or beast of burden. It symbolizes the role that our soul plays in carrying the burdens and responsibilities of our lives.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) compares the soul to a riding mount, emphasizing the importance of taking care of it. If we overload our soul with burdens that it cannot bear, we will ultimately destroy it. This can be understood in both a physical and spiritual sense. Physically, if we exhaust ourselves with excessive work, stress, or unhealthy habits, we harm our physical well-being. Spiritually, if we indulge in sinful actions or neglect our spiritual growth, we harm our soul.

On the other hand, if we treat our soul with kindness, nurturing it with goodness, righteousness, and self-care, we will save it. This means taking care of our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It means striving for balance in our lives, fulfilling our obligations, and seeking closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By doing so, we protect our soul from harm and ensure its growth and salvation.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the wisdom and guidance of this Hadith. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 4:29)

And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.

This verse emphasizes the sanctity of life and the importance of preserving our own well-being. It warns against engaging in actions that harm ourselves physically, mentally, or spiritually.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us, (Quran 7:32)

Eat of the good things We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.

This verse highlights the importance of taking care of our physical bodies by consuming wholesome and permissible food. It encourages us to be grateful to Allah for His provisions and to recognize that our bodies are a trust from Him.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize the profound wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By comparing the soul to a riding mount, he reminds us of our responsibility to take care of ourselves. We must be mindful of the burdens we place on our souls and strive for balance in all aspects of our lives. This includes fulfilling our obligations towards Allah and others, while also prioritizing self-care and well-being.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) words serve as a reminder to Muslims of all backgrounds to prioritize self-care and to be mindful of the burdens we place on our souls. By treating our souls with kindness, we not only protect ourselves from harm but also cultivate a strong connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah guide us all to take care of our souls and lead us on the path of righteousness.