Hadith #11322

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "الهوى صبوة" which can be translated as

Vain desires are passions of youth.

In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) uses the word (al-hawa) "الهوى" to refer to vain desires or whims, and (sabwah) "صبوة" to describe them as the passions or inclinations of youth.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the dangers of following our vain desires in several ayats. 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?

This ayat highlights the consequences of following one's vain desires, as it leads to being misguided and veiled from the truth. Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), Allah warns,

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.

These ayats emphasize the importance of not allowing our vain desires to dictate our actions and decisions. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further expands on this concept by specifically highlighting the connection between vain desires and the passions of youth. Youth is a time of energy, enthusiasm, and exploration, but it can also be a period where one's desires and impulses are strong and unchecked.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that these passions of youth, if left uncontrolled, can lead us astray from the path of righteousness. They can cloud our judgment, cause us to prioritize temporary pleasures over long-term goals, and distract us from fulfilling our responsibilities towards Allah and our fellow human beings.

By highlighting the connection between vain desires and youth, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with a valuable insight into the challenges that young Muslims face in today's world. In a society that often glorifies instant gratification and materialistic pursuits, it is crucial for young Muslims to be aware of the potential pitfalls of following their unchecked desires.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to exercise self-discipline, seek knowledge, and strive for self-improvement. By doing so, we can overcome the passions of youth and align our desires with the teachings of Islam. This requires introspection, self-control, and a constant reminder of our ultimate purpose in life - to worship Allah and seek His pleasure.

Let us reflect on this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive to cultivate a balance between our desires and our responsibilities as Muslims. May Allah guide us all to the straight path and protect us from the temptations of our vain desires.