Hadith #10391

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of our actions and their impact on our souls. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

When you make your soul obey Allah you have honoured it, and if you allow it to disobey Him you have humiliated it.

This thought-provoking saying emphasizes the importance of aligning our actions with the obedience of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (ta'at) "طاعَةِ" refers to obedience, compliance, and submission to the commands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encompasses following the teachings of Islam and striving to fulfill our obligations as Muslims. The word (nafsak) "نَفْسَكَ" means your own soul or self. It represents our inner being, our desires, and our inclinations.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by stating that when we make our souls obey Allah, we have honored them. This means that when we strive to align our actions with the commands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we elevate and dignify our souls. By choosing to obey Allah, we demonstrate our recognition of His authority and our commitment to righteousness.

To further understand the significance of honoring our souls through obedience to Allah, let us turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:70),

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.

This verse highlights the inherent honor bestowed upon human beings by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By obeying Allah, we uphold this honor and fulfill the purpose for which we were created.

On the other hand, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns that if we allow our souls to disobey Allah, we have humiliated them. This means that when we indulge in sinful actions and disregard the commands of Allah, we degrade and debase our souls. By choosing disobedience, we undermine our own spiritual well-being and distance ourselves from the path of righteousness.

To comprehend the consequences of humiliating our souls through disobedience, let us refer to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states in Surah Al-A'raf (7:179),

And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.

This verse highlights the state of those who choose to disobey Allah and neglect their souls. They become spiritually blind and deaf, lacking understanding and guidance.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that our actions have a profound impact on our souls. When we choose to obey Allah, we honor and elevate our souls. Conversely, when we allow our souls to disobey Him, we degrade and humiliate them. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us as Muslims to strive for obedience and righteousness in all aspects of our lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to honor our souls through obedience to Him. May He protect us from the humiliation of disobedience and bless us with steadfastness on the path of righteousness. Ameen.