Hadith #7260

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

One whose intellect prevails over his lust and his forbearance [overcomes] his anger, then he is worthy of [being deemed as having] good conduct.

This impactful Hadith highlights the importance of self-control and the mastery of one's desires and emotions.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The word (ghalaba) "غَلَبَ" means to prevail or overcome, while (aqluhu) "عَقْلُهُ" refers to one's intellect. (shahwatahu) "شَهْوَتَهُ" signifies one's lust or desires, and (hilmuhu) "حِلْمُهُ" refers to forbearance or patience. Lastly, (ghadabahu) "غَضَبَهُ" denotes anger.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we find several Quranic verses that emphasize the importance of self-control and the mastery of one's desires and emotions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Yusuf (12:53),

And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy.

This verse highlights the inner struggle within ourselves, where our desires can lead us astray if not controlled by our intellect and forbearance.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran (3:134), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Those who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of restraining anger and forgiving others, which aligns with the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the Hadith.

The exegesis of this Hadith highlights the significance of self-control and the mastery of one's desires and emotions. When one's intellect prevails over their lust, they are able to make rational decisions and avoid succumbing to their base desires. Similarly, when one's forbearance overcomes their anger, they are able to maintain composure and react with patience and understanding.

By practicing self-control and mastering our desires and emotions, we are able to cultivate good conduct and righteousness. This is reflected in our interactions with others, as we are more likely to act with kindness, forgiveness, and patience. Our relationships with family, friends, and society as a whole are positively impacted when we prioritize intellect and forbearance over our base desires and anger.

Moreover, the exegesis of this Hadith serves as a reminder that self-control is not an easy task. It requires constant self-reflection, discipline, and seeking guidance from the teachings of Islam. We must strive to align our actions with the principles of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of self-control, where one's intellect prevails over their lust and their forbearance overcomes their anger. By mastering our desires and emotions, we are able to cultivate good conduct and righteousness, leading to harmonious relationships and a virtuous life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to embody these teachings in our daily lives.