Hadith #10509

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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) highlights the consequences of indulging one's soul in desires and pleasures. Let us delve into the exegesis of this enlightening Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (samaḥa) "سامَحَ", (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ", (tuḥibbu) "تُحِبُّ", and (shaqā'uhā) "شَقاؤُها". Samaḥa means to indulge or gratify, nafsahu refers to one's soul or self, tuḥibbu means to love or desire, and shaqā'uhā denotes wretchedness or misery.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:64),

And incite [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your horses and foot soldiers and become a partner in their wealth and their children and promise them.

This verse warns against indulging in the desires and temptations of this world, as it leads to wretchedness and misery.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children.

This verse reminds us that the worldly pleasures and desires are temporary and fleeting, and indulging in them can distract us from the true purpose of our existence.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their desires and to exercise self-control. When one indulges their soul in whatever it desires, they may experience temporary pleasure and satisfaction. However, this indulgence can lead to a prolonged state of wretchedness and misery in the things that the soul does not love.

For example, if a person indulges in excessive eating and neglects their physical health, they may experience temporary pleasure in the taste of food. However, this indulgence can lead to long-term health issues and a decreased quality of life. Similarly, if one indulges in materialistic pursuits and neglects their spiritual well-being, they may experience temporary satisfaction in accumulating wealth and possessions. However, this indulgence can lead to a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction in the long run.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual well-being over worldly desires. By exercising self-control and moderation, we can avoid the prolonged wretchedness and misery that comes from indulging in temporary pleasures. Instead, we should seek contentment and fulfillment through acts of worship, seeking knowledge, and serving others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of self-control and moderation in our lives. By resisting the temptations of this world and prioritizing our spiritual well-being, we can avoid the prolonged wretchedness and misery that comes from indulging in temporary pleasures. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to overcome our desires and seek His pleasure.