Hadith #296

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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) is a thought-provoking Hadith that highlights the consequences of succumbing to sin and evil. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its important words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The word (zafira) "ظَفِرَ" in Arabic refers to being victorious or triumphant. It implies achieving success or attaining a desired outcome. The word (ithm) "اْثْمُ" means sin, which encompasses all actions that go against the commandments of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). On the other hand, (ash-sharr) "الشَّرِّ" refers to evil, encompassing all actions that are harmful, malicious, or morally wrong.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that one who is overpowered by sin cannot be considered truly victorious. This highlights the importance of righteousness and piety in attaining true success in the eyes of Allah. The fleeting pleasures and temporary gains derived from sinful acts may give the illusion of victory, but in reality, they lead to spiritual defeat and loss.

To support this exegesis, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 20:124)

And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind.

This verse emphasizes that those who neglect the remembrance of Allah and indulge in sinful acts will ultimately face a life of misery and regret.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns, (Quran 7:175)

And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind.

This verse serves as a reminder that those who rely on evil and wrongdoing to achieve their goals will ultimately be defeated and humiliated.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement also sheds light on the consequences of securing victory through evil means. He asserts that such a victory is, in fact, a defeat. This highlights the importance of maintaining moral integrity and adhering to the principles of justice and righteousness.

The Quran affirms this principle in Surah Al-Ma'idah, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 5:2)

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. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

This verse emphasizes the importance of upholding righteousness and avoiding sinful actions, even in the face of opposition or obstacles.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wise utterance serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize moral values and righteousness in all aspects of their lives. It teaches us that true victory lies in aligning our actions with the commandments of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure. Succumbing to sin and resorting to evil tactics may provide temporary gains, but they ultimately lead to spiritual defeat and loss.

As Muslims, we should strive to emulate the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and seek victory through righteousness, justice, and piety. By doing so, we can attain true success in this world and the hereafter, as promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in the Quran. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us victory over our own selves and the forces of evil.