Hadith #10352

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to

move closer to our soul by retracting from it.

To understand the deeper meaning of this statement, let us explore the key words and concepts mentioned in the Hadith.

The first important word is (fadhilah) "فاضِلَةِ", which refers to the loftier and higher self. This is the part of our being that is illuminated by the light of our intellect and serves as a barrier between us and the inclinations of our base nature. It is the part of us that aspires to goodness, righteousness, and moral excellence.

The second important word is (ammara bil-su) "أمّارَةِ بِالسُّوءِ", which refers to the soul that commands to evil. This is the lower self, driven by desires, temptations, and negative inclinations. It is the part of us that can lead us astray if we do not exercise self-control and self-discipline.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran. In Surah Yusuf (12:53), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 inclination of the soul towards evil, and the need for divine mercy to overcome it. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us to retract from this soul that commands to evil, to distance ourselves from its negative influences.

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

Does man think that We will not assemble his bones? Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips.

This verse highlights the fact that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has complete control over our physical and spiritual beings. It serves as a reminder that we are accountable for our actions and that we should strive to align ourselves with our loftier selves, as mentioned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to move closer to our souls by retracting from them. This means that we should strive to align ourselves with our higher selves, the part of us that is guided by reason, intellect, and moral excellence. By doing so, we distance ourselves from the inclinations of our base nature and the soul that commands to evil.

This self-retraction requires self-reflection, introspection, and self-discipline. We need to constantly evaluate our thoughts, actions, and intentions, and strive to purify ourselves from negative traits and vices. We should seek to cultivate virtues such as patience, humility, kindness, and justice, which are in line with the teachings of Islam.

By retracting from the soul that commands to evil, we protect ourselves from the negative consequences of our actions. We avoid engaging in sinful behavior, harming others, and falling into the traps of our desires. Instead, we strive to live a life of righteousness, guided by the light of our intellect and the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement. It urges us to move closer to our higher selves by retracting from the soul that commands to evil. By aligning ourselves with our loftier selves, we distance ourselves from negative influences and strive to live a life of righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us on this path and grant us the strength to overcome our base desires.