Hadith #4366

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,

لايُفْلِحُ مَنْ يَتَبَجَّجُ بِالرَّذائِلِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

He who delights in depravities will never succeed.

Let us begin by examining the key words in this Hadith. The word (yatabajjaj) "يَتَبَجَّجُ" comes from the root word (bajaja) "بَجَجَ", which means to take pleasure or delight in something. In this context, it refers to finding pleasure or enjoyment in depravities or immoral actions. The word (ar-raza'il) "الرَّذائِلِ" refers to wickedness, vices, or immoral deeds.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of righteousness and warns against indulging in sinful pleasures. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 4:112)

But whoever earns an offense or a sin and then blames it on an innocent [person] has taken upon himself a slander and manifest sin

This verse highlights the consequences of engaging in sinful actions and attempting to shift the blame onto others.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, Allah warns, (Quran 17:32)

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way

This verse clearly prohibits indulging in immoral acts, emphasizing the evil nature of such behavior.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder that those who take pleasure in depravities will never achieve true success. Success in the eyes of Allah is not measured by worldly achievements or material possessions, but rather by one's adherence to righteousness and moral values.

When a person finds delight in immoral actions, they are distancing themselves from the path of righteousness and jeopardizing their spiritual well-being. Such indulgence may provide temporary pleasure, but it ultimately leads to spiritual decay and a sense of emptiness. This is because indulging in sinful pleasures goes against the natural disposition (fitrah) that Allah has instilled within us.

Moreover, the consequences of indulging in depravities extend beyond the individual. It can have a negative impact on society as a whole, as it promotes a culture of immorality and undermines the fabric of a righteous community. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,

Beware of sins that are considered minor, for they accumulate until they destroy a person.

This Hadith emphasizes the cumulative effect of indulging in sinful actions, which can lead to the destruction of one's character and ultimately their success in the hereafter.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of self-discipline and self-restraint. As Muslims, we should strive to purify our hearts and minds from the allure of immoral actions. Instead, we should seek pleasure in acts of worship, obedience to Allah, and virtuous deeds. True success lies in aligning our actions with the teachings of Islam and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) above all else.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder that those who take pleasure in depravities will never attain true success. By indulging in immoral actions, individuals distance themselves from the path of righteousness and jeopardize their spiritual well-being. It is crucial for Muslims to prioritize self-discipline, self-restraint, and adherence to the teachings of Islam in order to achieve true success in this life and the hereafter. May Allah guide us all on the straight path and protect us from the allure of sinful pleasures.