Hadith #1139

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 and noble family, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ تَبِعَ مُناهُ، كَثُرَ عَناؤُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who follows his aspirations faces increased hardship.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (tabi'a) "تَبِعَ" means to follow or pursue, while (munahu) "مُناهُ" refers to one's aspirations or desires. The word (kathura) "كَثُرَ" means to increase or multiply, and (ana'uhu) "عَنَاؤُهُ" signifies hardship or difficulty.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:11),

Man is prone to follow his own desires, even if they lead him astray.

This verse emphasizes the inherent inclination of human beings to follow their own desires, which can often lead them away from the path of righteousness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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?

This verse highlights the consequences of following one's desires without seeking guidance from Allah. It leads to misguidance and straying from the right path.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can now comprehend the impactful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. When a person blindly follows their own aspirations and desires, they are likely to face increased hardship. This is because their desires may not align with the divine guidance and wisdom of Allah.

For example, if someone is driven solely by their desire for material wealth and success, they may engage in unethical practices, exploit others, and neglect their spiritual well-being. This pursuit of worldly desires can lead to a multitude of difficulties such as stress, anxiety, broken relationships, and a sense of emptiness.

On the other hand, when a person seeks to align their aspirations with the teachings of Islam and the guidance of Allah, they are more likely to find peace, contentment, and success in both this world and the hereafter. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) promises in Surah An-Nahl (16:97),

Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their desires and aspirations. It encourages us to seek guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in order to ensure that our pursuits are in line with the divine will.

By doing so, we can avoid the increased hardships that come with following our own whims and desires, and instead, find tranquility, success, and fulfillment in both this life and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to align our aspirations with His guidance and bless us with a life of righteousness and contentment.