Hadith #10578

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

وُلُوعُ النَّفْسِ بِاللَّذّاتِ يُغْوي ويُرْدي۔

This can be translated as:

The ardent desire of the soul for [forbidden] pleasures misguides and destroys.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith by examining the key words and their meanings. The word (uloo') "وُلُوعُ" refers to the intense and burning desire or craving of the soul. It signifies a strong attachment and inclination towards something. (an-nafs) "النَّفْسِ" refers to the self or the soul, which encompasses one's desires, emotions, and inclinations. (billathat) "بِاللَّذّاتِ" refers to the pleasures or delights that are forbidden or prohibited by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To gain a deeper understanding of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Hijr, verse 3:

And We have certainly created man and We know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein.

This verse highlights the fact that Allah is fully aware of the innermost desires and inclinations of our souls. He knows the temptations that can lead us astray.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 50, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the consequences of following our desires blindly:

But if they do not respond to you - then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from Allah and not allowing our desires to lead us astray.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith warns us about the destructive nature of indulging in forbidden pleasures. When we allow our souls to be consumed by these desires, we become misguided and deviated from the right path. Our focus shifts from seeking the pleasure of Allah to seeking temporary and fleeting worldly pleasures. This not only leads to spiritual destruction but also hinders our growth and progress in this life and the hereafter.

Let us reflect on the consequences of giving in to our desires. When we prioritize our own desires over the commandments of Allah, we distance ourselves from His mercy and guidance. We become slaves to our own whims and desires, losing sight of the ultimate purpose of our existence - to worship and seek the pleasure of Allah. This self-indulgence can lead to a downward spiral, where our desires control us instead of us controlling our desires.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the importance of self-control and discipline. By restraining our desires and aligning them with the teachings of Islam, we can attain true peace and contentment. We must strive to purify our souls from the allure of forbidden pleasures and redirect our focus towards seeking the pleasure of Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the intense desires and cravings that can lead us astray. It highlights the importance of self-control and discipline in resisting forbidden pleasures. By aligning our desires with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his progeny, we can safeguard our souls from destruction and attain true success in this life and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to overcome our desires and seek His pleasure.