Hadith #2574

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

الحقد من طبائع الأشرار

which translates to

Malice is from the nature of the wicked.

This impactful Hadith highlights the inherent nature of evil individuals to harbor feelings of malice and ill-will towards others. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (malice) "حقد" refers to a deep-seated feeling of resentment, animosity, and ill-will towards someone. It is a negative emotion that arises from envy, jealousy, or hatred. The word (nature) "طبائع" refers to the inherent disposition or characteristics of individuals. And (the wicked) "الأشرار" refers to those who engage in evil actions and have corrupt intentions.

The Quran provides several verses that shed light on the concept of malice and its consequences. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding negative assumptions, spying, and backbiting, as they lead to malice and harm among individuals.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qalam (68:17-18), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and pleasure, enjoying what their Lord has given them, and their Lord protected them from the punishment of Hellfire.

These verses highlight the consequences of righteous individuals who refrain from malice and engage in good deeds. They are rewarded with eternal bliss and protection from the punishment of Hellfire.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be aware of the destructive nature of malice. It warns against harboring such negative feelings and encourages individuals to purify their hearts from envy, jealousy, and hatred. Malice not only harms the person towards whom it is directed, but it also corrupts the soul of the one who harbors it.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words carry great weight. Through this Hadith, he teaches us the importance of cultivating positive and compassionate qualities within ourselves. By doing so, we can strive towards righteousness and distance ourselves from the characteristics of the wicked.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to emulate the noble qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. They were paragons of virtue, displaying love, mercy, and forgiveness towards all, even in the face of adversity. By following their example, we can overcome malice and foster unity and harmony within the Muslim community.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the destructive nature of malice and its association with the wicked. It urges us to purify our hearts from negative emotions and strive towards righteousness. By doing so, we can create a society based on love, compassion, and forgiveness, in line with the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to overcome malice and fill our hearts with love and mercy.