Hadith #10750

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the qualities that make a person the best in the sight of Allah. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that the best person in the eyes of Allah is the one who enlivens his mind, kills off his lust, and exerts himself for the betterment of his Hereafter.

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (enlivens) "أحْيا" refers to reviving or awakening one's mind. It signifies the importance of seeking knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. By enlivening the mind, a person becomes aware of the truth, gains insight, and develops a deep understanding of the teachings of Islam.

The word (lust) "شَهْوَتَهُ" refers to desires and inclinations that are contrary to the teachings of Islam. It includes both physical and spiritual desires that lead a person away from the path of righteousness. Killing off one's lust means suppressing and controlling these desires, not allowing them to dominate one's actions and decisions. It requires self-discipline and self-restraint.

The phrase (exerts himself) "أتْعَبَ نَفْسَهُ" implies putting in effort and striving for the betterment of one's Hereafter. It involves actively engaging in acts of worship, seeking knowledge, and performing righteous deeds. It requires sacrificing one's time, energy, and resources for the sake of pleasing Allah and attaining success in the Hereafter.

To understand the significance of these qualities, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13):

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that the best among us, regardless of our backgrounds or ethnicities, are those who are the most righteous. The qualities mentioned in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) align with the concept of righteousness. By enlivening our minds, killing off our lusts, and exerting ourselves for the betterment of our Hereafter, we become closer to attaining righteousness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse reminds us that the majority of humanity is in a state of loss, except for those who possess faith, perform righteous deeds, and encourage one another towards truth and patience. The qualities mentioned in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) align with the characteristics of those who are saved from loss.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the importance of nurturing our intellect, controlling our desires, and striving for the betterment of our Hereafter. By enlivening our minds, we gain knowledge and understanding of the teachings of Islam, enabling us to make informed decisions and follow the right path.

By killing off our lusts, we free ourselves from the shackles of worldly desires and focus on fulfilling the commandments of Allah. This self-control helps us avoid sinful actions and leads us towards righteousness.

By exerting ourselves for the betterment of our Hereafter, we actively engage in acts of worship, seek knowledge, and perform righteous deeds. This effort demonstrates our commitment to pleasing Allah and attaining success in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize the development of their intellect, control their desires, and strive for the betterment of their Hereafter. By following these teachings, we can become the best in the sight of Allah and attain success in both this world and the Hereafter. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the ability to enliven our minds, kill off our lusts, and exert ourselves for the betterment of our Hereafter.