Hadith #6880

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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,

One who desires that which he cannot obtain has not adorned himself with chastity.

Let us delve into the meaning and significance of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (tahalla) "تَحَلَّ" in Arabic, used in this Hadith, means to adorn or beautify oneself with a certain quality or attribute. In this context, it refers to adorning oneself with the quality of chastity or purity. The word (iffah) "عِفَّةِ" means chastity or self-restraint, particularly in matters of desire and lust.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that one cannot truly claim to possess chastity if they desire something that is unattainable or forbidden. This Hadith emphasizes the importance of contentment and self-restraint in our desires and ambitions.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of contentment and self-restraint in various verses. For example, in Surah Al-Isra (17:32), Allah says,

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.

This verse highlights the importance of restraining one's desires and avoiding that which is forbidden.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse emphasizes the importance of refraining from envy, mockery, and insulting others, which are all manifestations of desires that are not in line with chastity and self-restraint.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that true chastity and purity of character require not only refraining from forbidden actions but also restraining our desires and ambitions. It urges us to be content with what Allah has decreed for us and to avoid coveting that which is unattainable or prohibited.

When we desire something that is beyond our reach, it can lead to discontentment, envy, and even unethical behavior. For example, if someone desires wealth that they cannot obtain through lawful means, they may resort to dishonesty or exploitation. This desire, which is not adorned with chastity, leads to moral degradation and spiritual harm.

On the other hand, adorning ourselves with chastity means being content with what Allah has blessed us with and striving for lawful means to fulfill our needs and desires. It means recognizing that true success lies in aligning our desires with the boundaries set by Allah and seeking His pleasure above all else.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the importance of adorning ourselves with chastity by restraining our desires and being content with what Allah has decreed for us. It serves as a powerful reminder to Muslims of all backgrounds to prioritize spiritual purity and self-restraint in our thoughts, actions, and ambitions. May Allah guide us all to adorn ourselves with true chastity and grant us contentment in all aspects of our lives.