Hadith #3782

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the moral decay and societal corruption that will prevail in the world. He uses powerful imagery to convey the gravity of the situation. Let us delve into the exegesis of this hadith and explore its profound meanings in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this hadith is (fusuq) "فُسُوقُ", which refers to adultery or immorality. It signifies the erosion of moral values and the prevalence of sinful behavior. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that fusuq has become the (nasaban) "نَسَباً", meaning the key to lineage or the basis of social status. This implies that people have deviated from the path of righteousness, and immorality has become a norm rather than an exception.

To support this understanding, we can turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the consequences of immorality. In Surah Al-Isra (17:32), Allah says,

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.

This verse emphasizes the gravity of adultery and its detrimental effects on individuals and society.

The second part of the hadith highlights the rarity of chastity and the distortion of Islam. The word (afaaf) "عَفَافُ" refers to chastity, modesty, and purity. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) laments that chastity has become (ajaban) "عَجَباً", meaning rare or astonishingly uncommon. This indicates the decline of moral values and the erosion of modesty in society.

Furthermore, the Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that Islam is being worn (lubisa) "لُبِسَ" like fur, but in a (maqlooba) "مَقْلُوباً" manner. This metaphorical expression signifies the distortion and misrepresentation of Islam. It implies that people claim to follow Islam outwardly, but their actions contradict its true teachings. They have turned the religion upside down, neglecting its core principles of justice, compassion, and righteousness.

To understand the consequences of distorting Islam, we can turn to the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:79), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) admonishes those who tamper with His revelations. He says,

So woe to those who write the

scripture

with their own hands, then say, 'This is from Allah,' in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.

Reflecting on this hadith, we can see its relevance in our present times. Immorality has become widespread, modesty is often disregarded, and the true teachings of Islam are often distorted or misunderstood. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to uphold the values of chastity, righteousness, and the true teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a wake-up call for Muslims to reflect on the moral decay and societal corruption that exists in the world. It urges us to strive for righteousness, uphold the values of chastity, and practice Islam in its true essence. May Allah guide us all to the straight path and protect us from the temptations of immorality.