Hadith #10468

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 Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of self-accountability and the struggle against one's own evil inclinations. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this impactful saying in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (mu'akhidhan) "مُؤاخِذاً", which means to hold oneself accountable or to take oneself to task. This implies that each individual should constantly assess their actions, intentions, and behavior, and hold themselves responsible for their own deeds. This self-reflection and self-criticism are essential for personal growth and spiritual development.

The second word is (mughaliban) "مُغالِباً", which means to struggle or overcome. Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to struggle against our evil nature, our base desires, and our negative tendencies. This struggle is not easy, but it is necessary for self-improvement and to attain closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then warns us against blaming our sins on our Lord, saying (iyyaka an tahmil dunoobaka 'ala rabbika)

إيّاكَ أنْ تَحْمِلَ ذُنُوبَكَ عَلى رَبِّكَ

This means that we should not shift the responsibility of our sins onto Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should not attribute our wrongdoings to fate or divine decree, as this would be a form of evasion from personal accountability.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:18):

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse echoes the message of self-accountability and self-reflection found in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). It reminds us to be conscious of our actions and their consequences, and to fear Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all that we do.

Another relevant verse is found in Surah Al-Taghabun (64:16):

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]. It is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of self-control and self-discipline, which are essential in the struggle against our evil inclinations. By restraining ourselves from selfishness and greed, we can attain success in this world and the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to hold themselves accountable, to struggle against their own negative tendencies, and to avoid blaming their sins on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encourages self-reflection, self-improvement, and personal responsibility. By following this advice, Muslims can strive towards spiritual growth and attain closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to implement these teachings in our lives.