Hadith #6897

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of seeking Allah's protection and well-being from two specific challenges that we face in this world: the temptations of our desires (lustful temptations) and the trials and tribulations that come with worldly affairs.

To understand the depth and significance of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words used in the Arabic text. The word (afiyah) "عافِيَةَ" refers to welfare, safety, and protection. It encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The term (tasweel) "تَسْوِيلِ" means the inclination or deviation towards something, specifically referring to the lustful temptations that can lead us astray from the path of righteousness. And the term (fitan) "فِتَنِ" refers to trials, tests, and tribulations that we encounter in our worldly lives.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the dangers of following our desires and the consequences it can have on our spiritual well-being. In Surah Al-Jathiya (45:23), Allah says,

Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?

Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), Allah warns us about the temptations of this world and the importance of seeking His protection. Allah says,

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? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

The consequences of succumbing to our desires and being engulfed in the trials of this world can be severe. It can lead us away from the straight path and distance us from the mercy and guidance of Allah. It can cloud our judgment, impair our decision-making, and ultimately result in spiritual and moral decline.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, advises us to seek Allah's protection from these challenges. By asking Allah for welfare and safety, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and recognize that only through His guidance and protection can we overcome the temptations of our desires and navigate through the trials of this world.

Imam Ali's enlightening words serve as a reminder for us to constantly seek Allah's help and guidance in our daily lives. We should strive to purify our hearts and minds from the allurements of this world and remain steadfast in our devotion to Allah. By doing so, we can attain true well-being and protection from the pitfalls that can lead us astray.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to seek Allah's protection from the temptations of our desires and the trials of this world. It reminds us of the importance of relying on Allah's guidance and seeking His help in navigating through the challenges we face. By doing so, we can attain true welfare and safety in this life and the hereafter. May Allah grant us the strength and wisdom to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and protect us from the temptations and trials that can lead us astray.