Hadith #1847

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Blessings and peace 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 self-struggle, or jihad al-nafs, in the path of obedience to Allah and refraining from disobedience. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that the one who engages in this struggle is elevated to the status of a virtuous martyr in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The term "mujahid" refers to the one who engages in jihad, which is commonly understood as physical warfare. However, in this context, it refers to the inner struggle against one's own desires and temptations. The word "nafs" refers to the lower self or ego, which often inclines towards disobedience to Allah's commands.

To support the significance of self-struggle, we find numerous Quranic verses that emphasize the importance of striving against one's own self. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:2-3):

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights the need for constant self-improvement and struggle in order to attain success in the sight of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse reminds us that Allah has given us the capacity to overcome our own selves and engage in the struggle for obedience.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) compares the one who engages in self-struggle to a virtuous martyr. A martyr is someone who sacrifices their life in the path of Allah, and their status is elevated in the sight of Allah. Similarly, the one who engages in self-struggle is elevated to a similar status because they are sacrificing their desires and inclinations for the sake of Allah's obedience.

This Hadith serves as a motivation for Muslims to constantly strive against their own selves and their desires. It reminds us that true success lies in overcoming our own weaknesses and inclinations towards disobedience. By engaging in self-struggle, we attain a higher spiritual rank and become closer to Allah.

The consequences of neglecting self-struggle are evident in our daily lives. When we give in to our desires and inclinations, we distance ourselves from Allah's obedience and fall into the trap of sin. This leads to spiritual stagnation and a weakening of our relationship with Allah. On the other hand, when we actively engage in self-struggle, we strengthen our faith, purify our souls, and become more conscious of our actions.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should ask ourselves: How often do we engage in self-struggle? Are we actively working to overcome our own weaknesses and temptations? Are we sacrificing our desires for the sake of Allah's obedience? By pondering over these questions, we can assess our own spiritual journey and strive to improve ourselves.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of self-struggle in the path of obedience to Allah. By engaging in this struggle, we attain a higher spiritual rank and become closer to Allah. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly strive against their own selves and their desires, and to sacrifice their inclinations for the sake of Allah's pleasure. May Allah grant us the strength and determination to engage in self-struggle and attain the status of virtuous martyrs in His sight.