Hadith #10614

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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,

مَنِ اغْتَرَّ بِنَفْسِهِ أسْلَمَتْهُ إلَى المَعاطِبِ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever is deceived by his soul is delivered by it to places of destruction.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (ightarra) "اغْتَرَّ" refers to being deceived or deluded by one's own self. It implies being led astray by one's desires, ego, or false perceptions. The word (nafsihi) "نَفْسِهِ" means one's own self or soul. And the word (ma'atib) "مَعاطِبِ" refers to places of destruction or ruin.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Yusuf (12:53),

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

This verse highlights the inherent nature of the soul, which inclines towards evil and temptation. It is only through the mercy of Allah that one can overcome the destructive inclinations of the soul.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:2-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

No! I swear by the Day of Resurrection. And no! I swear by the reproaching soul.

Here, Allah emphasizes the significance of the Day of Resurrection and the soul that reproaches itself for its wrongdoings. This serves as a reminder that we must be vigilant and not let our souls deceive us into destructive paths.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith warns us about the consequences of being deceived by our own selves. When we allow our desires, ego, or false perceptions to guide us, we are led towards destruction. This can manifest in various ways, such as indulging in sinful behavior, neglecting our religious obligations, or harming ourselves and others.

For example, if a person becomes arrogant and believes they are superior to others, they may mistreat those around them and create divisions within society. This arrogance blinds them to the truth and leads them towards destruction. Similarly, if a person becomes consumed by their material desires, they may engage in unethical practices or neglect their spiritual well-being, ultimately leading to ruin in this world and the hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wise utterance serves as a reminder for Muslims to be self-aware and introspective. We must constantly evaluate our intentions, actions, and beliefs to ensure that we are not being deceived by our own selves. This requires humility, self-reflection, and seeking guidance from the teachings of Islam.

By aligning ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt, we can protect ourselves from the destructive consequences of being deceived by our own souls. We must strive to purify our intentions, control our desires, and seek knowledge and wisdom to navigate the challenges of life.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of being deceived by their own selves. By recognizing the inherent inclinations towards evil within our souls and seeking guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt, we can safeguard ourselves from the destructive consequences of following our desires and ego. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to overcome the deceit of our souls and lead a righteous and fulfilling life.