Hawzah News Agency - Humans, being created with free will, may—under the influence of various factors—abandon their servitude to God, forget their sense of freedom, and become enslaved to others.

This is why Imam Ali peace be upon him addresses humanity in the following manner:

«وَ لَا تَکُنْ عَبْدَ غَیْرِکَ وَ قَدْ جَعَلَکَ اللَّهُ حُرّاً.»

"Do not be a slave to anyone, for God has created you free." (Nahj al-Balaqah, Letter no. 31)

Explanation:

In the second part of this statement from Nahj al-Balaghah, Imam Ali peace be upon him says: "God has created you free." However, in the first part, he commands: "Do not be a slave to anyone!"

Question:

How is it possible for someone who has been created free to fall into servitude to others?

Perhaps the answer can be found in these illuminating narrations:

«مَنْ کَرُمَتْ عَلَیْهِ نَفْسُهُ، هَانَتْ عَلَیْهِ شَهَوَاتُهُ.»

"Whoever values themselves will find their desires insignificant before them." (Nahj al-Balaqah, Wisdom no. 449)

«مَنْ هَانَتْ عَلَیْهِ نَفْسُهُ فَلاَ تَأْمَنْ شَرَّهُ.»

"Whoever does not hold themselves in esteem, do not trust that they will refrain from harming others." (Tuhaf al-Oqul, v. 1, p. 483)

And the other narrations.

From these narrations, it becomes clear that the root of losing one’s freedom or becoming a slave to others can be traced back to the lack of self-respect and dignity.

If a person truly know themselves—if they are aware of their intrinsic value and the lofty status of their humanity—they will never, under any circumstances, submit to humiliation or servitude to anyone other than God. Neither power, nor lust, nor wealth, nor the threats of enemies can enslave such a person. Therefore they will never be satisfied with anything less than God - the Almighty - and His Paradise.

As Imam Ali peace be upon him says:

«إِنَّهُ لَیْسَ لِأَنْفُسِکُمْ ثَمَنٌ إِلَّا الْجَنَّةَ، فَلَا تَبِیعُوهَا إِلَّا بِهَا.»

"Know that your worth is nothing less than Paradise; So, do not sell it for anything other than Paradise." (Nahj al-Balaqah, Wisdom no. 456)

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The International Service of "Hawzah News Agency"