Hadith #11362

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ جَرى مَعَ الهَوى عَثَرَ بِالرَّدى۔

This can be translated as,

One who proceeds with vain desire falls into destruction.

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (jara) "جَرى" means to proceed or run, while (al-hawa) "الهَوى" refers to vain desires or whims. (athara) "عَثَرَ" means to stumble or fall, and (ar-radd) "الرَّدى" signifies destruction or ruin.

To gain a deeper understanding of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 50:

But if they do not respond to you - then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah?

This verse highlights the danger of blindly following one's desires without seeking guidance from Allah. It is a path that leads to misguidance and destruction.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 56, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

Indeed, you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse emphasizes that true guidance comes from Allah alone. Following our own desires, without seeking divine guidance, can only lead to ruin and misfortune.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of their desires and to align them with the teachings of the Quran. When we allow our whims and desires to dictate our actions, we are prone to making decisions that are not in line with the principles of Islam. This can lead to disastrous consequences, both in this world and in the hereafter.

For instance, if a person is driven by the desire for material wealth and engages in dishonest practices to accumulate wealth, they may achieve temporary success but will ultimately face the consequences of their actions. The Quran warns us in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 188:

And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].

Such actions not only harm others but also lead to the destruction of one's own soul.

Similarly, if a person allows their desires to control their relationships, they may engage in immoral behavior such as adultery or deceit. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Isra, verse 32:

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

Following one's desires in this regard can lead to the destruction of families, the spread of diseases, and the erosion of moral values within society.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful saying serves as a timeless reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their desires and to seek guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). By aligning our desires with the principles of Islam, we can avoid the pitfalls of following vain desires and safeguard ourselves from the destructive consequences that accompany such actions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of seeking guidance from Allah and the Quran, rather than blindly following our own whims and desires. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from the destructive consequences that arise from pursuing vain desires. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to align our desires with His guidance and protect us from falling into destruction.