Hadith #3926

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us to prioritize the enlivening of truth and the annihilation of falsehood over the attainment of worldly pleasures and the quelling of rage. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its important words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (lathah) "لَذَّة", which refers to pleasures or delights. The pursuit of worldly pleasures can often distract us from our true purpose in life, which is to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Allah warns us in the Quran:

(Quran 8:28)

And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.

This verse reminds us that the pleasures and possessions of this world are merely a test from Allah, and our true reward lies with Him. Therefore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to make the attainment of these temporary pleasures the greatest achievement of our lives.

The second important word in this Hadith is (ghayz) "غَيْظ", which means rage or anger. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us against seeking revenge or quelling our anger as the ultimate goal in life. Instead, he urges us to focus on the enlivening of truth and the annihilation of falsehood. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which encourages us to uphold justice and truth:

(Quran 4:135)

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes the importance of standing up for truth and justice, even if it goes against our personal interests or relationships. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that the enlivening of truth and the annihilation of falsehood should be our primary focus, rather than seeking personal gratification or revenge.

By prioritizing the enlivening of truth and the annihilation of falsehood, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, exemplified this principle throughout his life. He stood firmly for justice, even in the face of adversity and opposition.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize the enlivening of truth and the annihilation of falsehood over the pursuit of worldly pleasures and the quelling of rage. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and we fulfill our true purpose in life as servants of Allah. May Allah guide us all to follow the path of truth and righteousness.