Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 260-7

Selections from The Sayings and Preaching of Amir al-Muminin Ali ibn Abi Talib (Peace Be Upon Him) Including His Replies to Questions and Maxims Expressed for Various Purposes. Section Wherein We Have Included Selections from Wonderful Sayings, Which Require Explanation
Translated by Sayyid Ali Reza

وفي حديثه عليه السلام أَنه شيّع جيشاً يغْزِيهِ فقال:

A tradition of Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, relates that he arranged a force for advancing for jihad and said:

اعْذِبُواعَنِ النِّسَاءِ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ.

I'dhibu (turn away) from women so far as you can.

و معناه: اصدِفوا عن ذكر النساء وشُغُلِ القلب بهن، وامتنعُوا من المقاربة لهنّ، لاَن ذلك يَفُتُّ في عضُد الحميّة، ويقدح في معاقد العزيمة ويكسِر عن العَدْوِ، وَيلفِتُ عن الاِبعاد في الغزو، وكلُّ من امتنع من شيء فقد أعْذَبَ عنه، والعاذبُ والعَذُوب: الممتنع من الاَكل والشرب.

As-Sayyid ar-Radi says: It (i'dhibu) means that "keep off" from thoughts of women and from clinging your heart to them, and do not have union with them; because all this produces weakness in enthusiasm, affects the firmness of determination, weakens against the enemy and prevents from exerting in fighting. Whatever prevents from something is called " 'adhaba 'anhu" i.e., turned away from it. Thus, "al-'adhib" and "al-'adhub" mean one who gives up eating and drinking.