Hadith #10392

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he imparts a valuable lesson on self-discipline and self-control. Let us delve into the words of this Hadith and explore its deeper meaning in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (sa'ubat) "صَعُبَتْ", which means "to become obstinate" or "to become difficult." It refers to the state when one's soul becomes rebellious, stubborn, or resistant to doing what is right. This can happen when our desires and temptations overpower our rationality and moral compass.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to respond to this obstinacy by being (sa'ub) "صَعُبْ", which means "to be obstinate" or "to be firm." In other words, we should exercise self-discipline and firmly resist the temptations and desires that lead us astray. By doing so, we regain control over our souls and prevent them from dictating our actions.

The next important word is (tadhilu) "تَذِلُّ", which means "to be humble" or "to be submissive." Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) assures us that when we are firm and resolute in resisting the temptations of our souls, our souls will eventually submit and become humble before us. This means that by exerting self-control, we can gain mastery over our desires and achieve a state of inner peace and tranquility.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises us to (khadi' nafsaka 'an nafsik)

خادِعْ نَفْسَكَ عَنْ نَفْسِكَ

which means

deceive your soul with regards to yourself.

This may seem paradoxical at first, but it actually refers to deceiving our souls by redirecting our desires and inclinations towards what is virtuous and pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By consciously choosing to prioritize our spiritual growth and moral development, we can deceive our souls into pursuing righteousness and distancing themselves from sinful temptations.

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 constant struggle to resist its temptations. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice aligns with this Quranic truth, emphasizing the need for self-discipline and firmness in the face of our soul's persistent inclinations towards evil.

Another verse that resonates with the teachings of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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

This verse reminds us that true guidance and self-control come from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. By seeking His guidance and relying on His mercy, we can overcome the obstinacy of our souls and attain true humility and submission.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that it offers us a profound insight into the nature of our souls and the importance of self-discipline. It teaches us that by being firm and resolute in resisting our soul's temptations, we can regain control over our actions and achieve humility and submission. Moreover, it reminds us that true guidance and self-control come from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and that we should constantly seek His help and mercy in our journey towards righteousness.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to be firm in resisting the temptations of our souls and the wisdom to seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives. May He bless us with the humility and submission that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) exemplified through his profound knowledge and unwavering devotion.