Hadith #1240

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights three qualities that, when possessed, perfect one's faith. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The first quality mentioned is the ability to control one's pleasure. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that a person with complete faith does not allow their pleasure to lead them towards vice. This means that even when one is pleased with something, they do not let their pleasure blind them to what is right and wrong. They do not compromise their principles or engage in sinful behavior under the guise of pleasure.

This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 199, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

This verse emphasizes the importance of not being swayed by our desires and pleasures, but rather remaining steadfast in doing what is right and turning away from ignorance.

The second quality mentioned in the Hadith is the ability to control one's anger. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that a person with complete faith does not allow their anger to lead them away from the truth. This means that even when one is angry, they do not let their anger cloud their judgment or cause them to deviate from what is just and fair.

The Quran beautifully addresses this concept in Surah Al-Imran, verse 134, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Those who control their anger and are forgiving toward people; Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of controlling our anger and not allowing it to lead us astray. It reminds us that true believers are those who can maintain their composure even in the face of provocation and injustice.

The third and final quality mentioned in the Hadith is the ability to exercise restraint when in a position of power. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that a person with complete faith does not take that which is not rightfully theirs, even when they have the power to do so. This means that they do not abuse their authority or exploit others for personal gain.

The Quran beautifully addresses this concept in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 8, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.

This verse reminds us that power should be used responsibly and for the greater good. It cautions against using one's authority to oppress or exploit others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teachings in this Hadith highlight the importance of self-control, integrity, and justice in the life of a believer. By embodying these qualities, one's faith is perfected, and they become a true reflection of the teachings of Islam.

Let us strive to emulate the noble qualities mentioned in this Hadith and seek guidance from the Quran to strengthen our faith and become better Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to control our desires, manage our anger, and exercise restraint when in positions of power. May He bless us with the strength to uphold justice and righteousness in all aspects of our lives.