Hadith #2704

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad (ﷺ) and his pure Ahl al-Bayt, as well as his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The beginning of wisdom is abandoning [worldly] pleasures and its end is loathing the transitory.

This thought-provoking saying highlights the essence of true wisdom and the path towards attaining it. Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word "hikmah" in Arabic refers to wisdom, which encompasses deep understanding, knowledge, and the ability to apply knowledge in a righteous manner. It is a comprehensive term that encompasses both intellectual and moral aspects. In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that the beginning of wisdom lies in "tarak al-lathat" or abandoning worldly pleasures. Here, "lathat" refers to the temporary and fleeting pleasures of this world that distract us from the path of righteousness and hinder our spiritual growth.

This concept of abandoning worldly pleasures is echoed in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us to prioritize the eternal over the temporary. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 60, Allah says, (Quran 28:60)

And whatever thing you [people] have been given - it is [only for] the enjoyment of worldly life and its adornment. And what is with Allah is better and more lasting; so will you not use reason?

This verse reminds us that the pleasures of this world are transient and fleeting, while the rewards of the Hereafter are everlasting. True wisdom lies in recognizing this reality and prioritizing the eternal over the temporary.

The Hadith further states that the end of wisdom is "maqt al-faniyat" or loathing the transitory. Here, "faniyat" refers to the perishable and transient nature of worldly things. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that as we progress on the path of wisdom, we should develop a disdain for the temporary and fleeting nature of worldly possessions and desires. This does not mean that we should completely renounce the world, but rather that we should detach ourselves from its allurements and not let them control our hearts and actions.

The Quran supports this notion of detaching ourselves from the transitory nature of the world. In Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah says, (Quran 57:20)

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

This verse reminds us that the attractions of this world are temporary and will eventually fade away. True wisdom lies in recognizing this reality and not becoming attached to the fleeting pleasures of this world.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with a profound insight into the nature of wisdom and its relationship with worldly pleasures. It teaches us that true wisdom begins with abandoning the temporary and fleeting pleasures of this world and ends with developing a disdain for the transitory nature of worldly possessions. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and prioritize the eternal over the temporary.

When we detach ourselves from worldly pleasures and develop a disdain for the transitory, we free ourselves from the distractions that hinder our spiritual growth. We become more focused on the Hereafter and strive to attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This path of wisdom leads to a deeper understanding of the purpose of our existence and enables us to make choices that are in line with the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true wisdom begins with abandoning worldly pleasures and ends with developing a disdain for the transitory. By aligning ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and prioritizing the eternal over the temporary, we embark on a path of spiritual growth and attain a deeper understanding of the purpose of our existence. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize the fleeting nature of this world and the strength to detach ourselves from its allurements.