Hadith #9446

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

In this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the importance of prioritizing guidance over desires and the Qur'an over personal opinions. Let us delve into the deeper meanings of the key words in this hadith.

The word (hawa) "هَوَى" refers to desires or whims, which are often driven by personal inclinations and passions. It represents the inclination towards fulfilling one's own desires without considering the guidance provided by Allah. On the other hand, (huda) "هُدَى" signifies guidance, which is the path shown by Allah to lead humanity towards righteousness and success.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that desires will be directed towards guidance when people prioritize guidance over their own desires. This implies that when individuals place the teachings of Islam and the guidance of the Qur'an above their personal inclinations, their desires will align with what is pleasing to Allah. This is a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their actions and ensure that they are in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

To further emphasize the importance of prioritizing the Qur'an, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentions that he will turn his opinion towards the Qur'an when people turn the Qur'an towards their opinions. This highlights the need for Muslims to base their opinions and judgments on the principles and teachings of the Qur'an rather than imposing their own ideas onto the Qur'an.

The Qur'an is the ultimate source of guidance for Muslims, as it is the word of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It provides comprehensive guidance on various aspects of life, including personal conduct, social interactions, and matters of faith. By aligning our opinions and judgments with the teachings of the Qur'an, we ensure that our decisions are rooted in divine wisdom and guidance.

To support this exegesis, let us turn to the Qur'an for further clarification. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:3),

Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies. Little do you remember.

This verse emphasizes the importance of following the guidance revealed by Allah and not relying on personal opinions or the opinions of others. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize the Qur'an over any other source when seeking guidance.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:1), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, do not put yourselves before Allah and His Messenger but fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

This verse highlights the need for Muslims to submit to the authority of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) rather than prioritizing their own desires or opinions.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize guidance over desires and the Qur'an over personal opinions. By aligning our desires with what is pleasing to Allah and basing our opinions on the teachings of the Qur'an, we ensure that our actions are in accordance with the divine will. May Allah guide us all to follow the path of guidance and grant us the wisdom to prioritize His teachings over our own desires and opinions.