Hadith #6377

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,

كَيْفَ يَجِدُ لَذَّةَ العِبادَةِ مَنْ لايَصُومُ عَنِ الهَوى؟!

which translates to,

How can one who does not abstain from lowly desires discover the delight of worship?

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of self-restraint and the abandonment of base desires in order to truly experience the pleasure and fulfillment of worshiping Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze the key words and concepts it encompasses. The word (ladhdhah) "لَذَّةَ" refers to delight, pleasure, or enjoyment. (al-'ibadah) "العِبادَةِ" signifies worship, devotion, and acts of obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). (layasoomu 'ani al-hawa) "لايَصُومُ عَنِ الهَوى" translates to

does not abstain from lowly desires.

Here, (layasoomu) "لايَصُومُ" means "does not abstain" or "does not refrain," while (‘ani al-hawa) "عَنِ الهَوى" refers to "from lowly desires."

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the message conveyed in this Hadith. For instance, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:45),

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].

This verse emphasizes the importance of patience and prayer in attaining closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It implies that one must exercise self-restraint and overcome their desires in order to fully experience the sweetness of worship.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Jathiyah (45:23), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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 verse highlights the consequences of succumbing to one's base desires and making them the object of worship. It leads to spiritual blindness and a deviation from the path of righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of self-discipline and self-control. It urges us to reflect upon our desires and make a conscious effort to abstain from those that are lowly and detrimental to our spiritual growth. By doing so, we can truly taste the sweetness of worship and experience the deep connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that comes with it.

For example, when one refrains from indulging in gossip, backbiting, or other harmful actions, they are able to maintain a pure heart and a clear conscience. This purity allows them to engage in acts of worship, such as prayer, with a focused and tranquil mind. They are able to experience the serenity and tranquility that comes from being in a state of submission to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

On the other hand, if one allows their desires to control them and gives in to every whim and temptation, their worship becomes superficial and devoid of true sincerity. Their heart becomes clouded with distractions and their focus on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) becomes diluted. Consequently, they miss out on the profound spiritual experiences and the closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that can only be attained through self-restraint and the abandonment of lowly desires.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize self-restraint and the abandonment of lowly desires in order to truly taste the delight of worship. By exercising self-discipline and overcoming our base desires, we can experience the profound connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that comes with sincere acts of worship. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to abstain from lowly desires and find true pleasure in our worship.