{"id":2115,"date":"2021-07-19T15:33:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-19T11:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/?p=2115"},"modified":"2026-08-01T22:47:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T19:17:27","slug":"wisdom-no-27-the-luminous-path-commentary-on-the-sayings-of-imam-ali-peace-be-upon-him-from-nahj-al-balagha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wisdom-no-27-the-luminous-path-commentary-on-the-sayings-of-imam-ali-peace-be-upon-him-from-nahj-al-balagha\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisdom No. 27 \u2013 The Luminous Path: Commentary on the Sayings of Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) from Nahj al-Balagha)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Wisdom 27: The Best Form of Asceticism<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said:<\/p>\n

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“The best form of asceticism is to conceal one’s asceticism.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Summary of the Wisdom<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) teaches that the truest\u2014and indeed the highest\u2014form of zuhd (asceticism)<\/strong> is to keep it hidden.<\/p>\n

A person who lives a simple and detached life without wishing others to see him as pious, ascetic, or devout has attained the finest form of asceticism.<\/p>\n

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Commentary<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Asceticism Does Not Mean Rejecting Lawful Wealth<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Asceticism does not mean refusing to earn money or own property needed for one’s lawful needs.<\/p>\n

Rather, true asceticism means not becoming attached to worldly possessions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A genuine ascetic is someone to whom worldly opportunities may come, yet whose heart remains unattached to them and who prefers closeness to Allah over worldly luxury.<\/p>\n

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2. The Greatest Danger of Asceticism Is Showing It Off<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Every virtue has something that can corrupt it, and the greatest danger to asceticism is boasting about it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The more a person displays or speaks proudly of his ascetic life, the less genuine that asceticism becomes.<\/p>\n

Seeking admiration because of one’s simplicity is itself another form of attachment to this world, since it seeks people’s attention and praise.<\/p>\n

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3. Sincerity Is More Important Than Outward Actions<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:<\/p>\n

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“Indeed, Allah does not look at your appearance or your deeds; rather, He looks at your hearts.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This noble saying teaches that intention comes before action<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Without sincere intention, even good deeds lose much of their spiritual value.<\/p>\n

For this reason, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) considers hidden asceticism<\/strong>\u2014where there is genuine detachment from worldly life\u2014to be superior to visible asceticism, which may merely be an outward display.<\/p>\n

As the Prophet’s saying indicates, this preference has two important reasons:<\/p>\n