Hadith #10375

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 highlights the nature of the human soul and its inclination towards evil and indecency. The Arabic word used in the Hadith is (ummara) "أمّارَةٌ", which refers to the soul's commanding or ordering nature. It is important to note that the soul, in its essence, is not inherently evil, but it has the potential to be inclined towards evil due to its attachment to worldly desires and temptations.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the deceptive nature of the soul. If one trusts and follows their soul without restraint, it will deceive them and lead them astray. The soul has a tendency to rationalize and justify sinful actions, making it easy for a person to fall into the traps of temptation and commit evil deeds.

To support this understanding, we can turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly warns us about the deceitful nature of the soul. In Surah Yusuf (12:53), when Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) was tempted by the wife of the Aziz, he sought refuge in Allah and said,

Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy.

This verse emphasizes that the soul has a persistent inclination towards evil, but those who seek Allah's mercy and protection can overcome its temptations.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:2-5), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the Day of Judgment, saying,

Does man think that We will not assemble his bones? Yes, We are Able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers. But man desires to continue in sin. He asks: 'When is the Day of Resurrection?' So when vision is dazzled, and the moon darkens.

These verses highlight the inclination of human beings towards sin and their desire to continue in wrongdoing, even though they know that they will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further warns that whoever has confidence in their soul and its desires will be destroyed. This destruction can manifest in various ways, such as the deterioration of one's moral character, the loss of spiritual connection with Allah, and the negative consequences that result from engaging in sinful behavior. The soul, when given free rein, can lead a person down a destructive path, causing them to lose sight of their purpose in life and their ultimate goal of attaining closeness to Allah.

To illustrate this point, we can refer to the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) in the Quran. When Yusuf was tempted by the wife of the Aziz, he had the option to give in to his desires and fulfill his worldly desires. However, he chose to have confidence in Allah and reject the advances of the woman. As a result, Yusuf was thrown into prison unjustly, but ultimately, his trust in Allah and his refusal to succumb to his soul's desires led to his eventual rise to power and his status as a Prophet.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) concludes by warning that whoever is pleased with their soul and its inclinations will be led to the worst of places. This refers to the consequences of following one's desires without restraint. When a person becomes content with their sinful actions and finds pleasure in them, they distance themselves from the mercy and guidance of Allah. This can lead to a downward spiral of spiritual degradation and a loss of moral compass.

In Surah Al-A'raf (7:176), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the fate of those who follow their desires and are pleased with their sinful actions, saying,

And if We had willed, We could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.

This verse highlights the consequences of being pleased with one's desires and rejecting the guidance of Allah, equating such individuals to dogs who are constantly panting and seeking satisfaction in worldly pursuits.

In conclusion, this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the inclinations of their souls and to exercise restraint in following their desires. It emphasizes the need to seek Allah's guidance and protection, as well as the importance of self-reflection and self-discipline. By recognizing the deceptive nature of the soul and striving to align our actions with the teachings of the Quran, we can overcome our base desires and attain spiritual growth and closeness to Allah. May Allah protect us from the temptations of our souls and guide us on the straight path.