Hadith #2181

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

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

The most judicious of you is the most abstemious of you [from worldly pleasures].

This beautiful saying highlights the virtue of self-restraint and moderation in the pursuit of worldly desires. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ahzamukum) "أحْزَمُكُمْ" in the Hadith refers to the one who possesses the highest level of wisdom, prudence, and sound judgment. This individual has the ability to make wise decisions and exercise self-control in all aspects of life. On the other hand, the word (azhadukum) "أزْهَدُكُمْ" signifies the one who is the most ascetic and detached from worldly pleasures. This person refrains from indulging excessively in material possessions and desires.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of moderation and self-restraint in various verses. For instance, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:31), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against excessive indulgence in worldly pleasures, saying,

O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:29), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us of the importance of moderation in all aspects of life, stating,

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the correlation between wisdom and self-restraint. The one who possesses wisdom understands the transient nature of worldly pleasures and the importance of prioritizing the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. By abstaining from excessive indulgence in worldly desires, one can attain a higher level of spiritual and moral excellence.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself exemplified this quality of self-restraint and asceticism. His life was characterized by simplicity, humility, and detachment from worldly possessions. Despite being the ruler and caliph, he lived a frugal life and distributed his wealth among the needy. His self-restraint and detachment from worldly pleasures allowed him to focus on matters of greater importance, such as seeking knowledge, establishing justice, and serving the community.

The consequences of practicing self-restraint and moderation are manifold. Firstly, it helps in curbing the desires of the ego, preventing one from falling into the traps of greed, arrogance, and materialism. Secondly, it allows individuals to maintain a balanced and harmonious lifestyle, avoiding the extremes of excess and deprivation. Thirdly, it cultivates a sense of gratitude and contentment, as one learns to appreciate the blessings bestowed upon them without constantly craving for more.

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are reminded to evaluate their own lives and strive for a balance between their worldly pursuits and their spiritual growth. By practicing self-restraint and moderation, we can attain a higher level of wisdom, prudence, and moral excellence. Let us follow the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive to be among the most judicious and abstemious individuals, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all aspects of our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to practice self-restraint and moderation, and may He bless us with success in this world and the Hereafter.