Hadith #10564

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he addresses mankind with a thought-provoking question,

mankind, what has made you pleased with the destruction of your soul?

This question serves as a wake-up call, urging us to reflect upon our actions and their consequences.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) uses the word "آنَسَكَ" which means "to be pleased" or "to find comfort." He questions why humans find comfort in engaging in actions that lead to the destruction of their own souls. This highlights the importance of self-awareness and self-reflection in order to avoid falling into harmful behaviors.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then asks,

Is there no cure from your ailment and no awakening from your slumber?!

Here, the word "دائِكَ" refers to the ailment or disease that afflicts the soul. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that there is always a cure for the ailments of the soul and a way to awaken from the slumber of ignorance and heedlessness.

To support this exegesis, we find numerous verses in the Quran that emphasize the importance of self-awareness and seeking guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:179),

And certainly, We have created many of the jinn and mankind for Hell. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. They are like cattle, rather they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.

This verse highlights the consequences of being heedless and ignorant of one's actions. It serves as a reminder that without self-awareness and understanding, humans can easily fall into destructive behaviors that lead them away from the path of righteousness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further asks,

Do you not feel compassion for yourself as you have mercy on others?

Here, he emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and self-care. Just as we show mercy and compassion towards others, we should also extend the same kindness to ourselves. This includes taking care of our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

This verse highlights the importance of showing mercy and compassion towards others. By extending this mercy to ourselves, we can strive for self-improvement and avoid actions that lead to the destruction of our souls.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of self-awareness, seeking guidance, and showing compassion towards ourselves. It serves as a call to action, urging us to constantly evaluate our actions and their impact on our souls. By doing so, we can strive for self-improvement, avoid destructive behaviors, and ultimately attain spiritual growth and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to reflect upon our actions, seek His guidance, and show compassion towards ourselves and others.