Hadith #10506

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

One who does not struggle against his [carnal] soul in his young age does not become noble in his old age.

This Hadith highlights the importance of self-discipline and self-control from a young age in order to attain nobility and righteousness in one's later years.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (jihad) "جَهَاد" in this context refers to the struggle against one's own desires and inclinations. It is a battle against the lower self, the nafs, which tends to be driven by worldly desires and temptations. The word (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ" refers to one's own soul or self. And the words (sigharihi) "صِغَرِهِ" and (kibarihi) "كِبَرِهِ" refer to one's young age and old age, respectively.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of self-control and the struggle against one's desires in several verses. In Surah Yusuf, Allah says, (12:53)

Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy

This verse highlights the inherent inclination of the soul towards evil and the need for constant struggle to overcome it.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas, Allah states, (28:58)

And We have certainly created man to struggle

This verse reminds us that the purpose of our creation is to strive and struggle against our base desires and inclinations. It is through this struggle that we can attain spiritual growth and righteousness.

The consequences of not engaging in this struggle against the self are highlighted in the Quran as well. In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah warns, (20:124)

And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life

This verse emphasizes that neglecting the struggle against the self leads to a life devoid of true happiness and fulfillment.

Now, let us reflect on the beautiful message of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, is advising us to start the battle against our desires and inclinations from a young age. This is because the habits and patterns we develop in our youth have a significant impact on our character and actions in our later years.

By exerting effort and discipline in our youth, we can cultivate virtuous qualities such as patience, self-control, and humility. These qualities will then become ingrained in our character and guide our actions as we grow older. On the other hand, if we neglect this struggle in our youth, we risk becoming slaves to our desires and losing sight of our true purpose in life.

The motivation behind engaging in this struggle is to attain nobility and righteousness. This noble character is not limited to external acts of worship, but rather encompasses the internal transformation of the soul. It is through this struggle that we can purify our hearts, strengthen our faith, and develop a deep connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to engage in the ongoing battle against their own desires and inclinations. By exerting effort and discipline from a young age, we can cultivate virtuous qualities and attain nobility in our later years. This struggle is a lifelong journey towards spiritual growth and righteousness, and it is through this journey that we can attain true success in this world and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to engage in this struggle and become noble individuals.