Nehjul Balagah Detailed Explanation Nehjul Balagah Detailed Explanation : 46

Detailed Explanation — Wisdom (46): If I put swords on the nose of a believer so that he will keep me as an enemy, he will not be hostile to me whenever. And if I pile all the worldly possessions in front of a disbeliever so that he will keep me as a friend, he will not keep me as a friend, because this is the decision that has been made by the tongue of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, who said: O Ali, peace be upon him! No believer will be enmity with you and no hypocrite will love you.

In Wisdom (46), Imam Ali (a.s.) states that the sin which causes you regret is better in the sight of Allah than the good deed that makes you self-satisfied. This wisdom emphasizes the importance of intention and the state of the heart in the eyes of Allah. When a person feels remorse for a sin, their heart leans towards Allah's mercy, while self-satisfaction can lead one away from true righteousness.

This wisdom is set against the backdrop of a time when Imam Ali (a.s.) faced numerous challenges and trials. During this period, self-righteousness and hypocrisy were on the rise among people. Through this saying, Imam Ali (a.s.) teaches us that true righteousness is that which brings a person closer to Allah, rather than that which merely fosters self-admiration.

A key lesson from this wisdom is the need for self-reflection in our actions. If we feel regret over a sin, it is a positive sign that our hearts are alive and we seek Allah's mercy. Conversely, if we become self-satisfied with our good deeds, it can pose a danger to our spiritual state.

Practically, this wisdom urges us to keep our intentions pure and strive to perform actions for the sake of Allah's pleasure. To avoid self-satisfaction, we should regularly assess the condition of our hearts and seek forgiveness from Allah.