Hadith #2187

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) emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and self-control in the pursuit of righteousness. Let us delve into the key words and concepts mentioned in this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding.

The first important term is (al-hazimah) "الحازِمَ", which refers to the judicious or resolute person. This person possesses the strength of character and determination to overcome their own inner struggles. They are not easily swayed by their desires or temptations, but rather, they actively engage in a struggle against their lower self.

The next term is (jihad nafsihi) "جِهَادِ نَفْسِهِ", which translates to struggling against one's own self. This concept of jihad is not limited to physical combat, but extends to the internal battle against one's own ego and base desires. It involves exerting effort and self-discipline to rectify one's character and behavior.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of rectifying the self by stating, (fa'aslahaha) "فَأصْلَحَها", meaning to rectify or improve it. This implies that the judicious person actively works towards purifying their soul, aligning it with the teachings of Islam, and striving for moral excellence.

Furthermore, the Hadith emphasizes the need to prevent the self from indulging in vain desires and pleasures. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, (wahabasaha 'an ahwiyatiha wa lazzatiha)

وَحَبَسَها عَنْ أهْوِيَتِها ولَذّاتِها

which means to restrain or hold back the self from its whims and pleasures. This requires self-control and the ability to resist temptations that may lead one astray from the path of righteousness.

The Hadith further states that by engaging in this struggle and preventing the self from indulging in its desires, one attains mastery over it. The phrase (famalakah) "فَمَلَكَها" signifies gaining control and dominion over the self. This mastery allows the individual to overcome their weaknesses and become the master of their own actions, rather than being controlled by their desires.

To support the teachings of this Hadith, we find numerous Quranic verses that emphasize the importance of self-discipline and self-control. For example, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185),

Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.

This verse reminds us that Allah has made the path of righteousness easy for us, but it requires effort and self-discipline on our part to attain it.

In Surah Al-A'raf (7:201), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us,

And take the provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is Taqwa (piety, righteousness).

This verse highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual growth and self-improvement over worldly pursuits.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Asr (103:2-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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 success lies in faith, righteous actions, and mutual encouragement towards truth and patience. It requires self-discipline to consistently engage in these actions and resist the distractions and temptations of the world.

Reflecting on the teachings of this Hadith, we understand that self-discipline and self-control are essential in our journey towards spiritual growth and righteousness. By actively engaging in the struggle against our lower selves, rectifying our character, and restraining our desires, we attain mastery over our own actions. This mastery allows us to align ourselves with the teachings of Islam and strive for moral excellence. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to continuously strive against our lower selves and attain mastery over them.