Hadith #3403

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ لَبِسَ الخَيْرَ تَعَرَّى مِنَ الشَّرِّ۔

This beautiful saying can be translated as,

Whoever wears [the garment of] virtue disrobes himself of evil.

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (labisa) "لَبِسَ" means "to wear" or "to put on." It implies the act of adorning oneself with something. In this context, it refers to adorning oneself with the garment of virtue. The word (al-khayr) "الخَيْرَ" means "goodness" or "virtue." It encompasses all righteous deeds, moral values, and ethical conduct that are pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By wearing the garment of virtue, one is enveloped in the beauty of good deeds and righteousness.

On the other hand, the word (ta'arra) "تَعَرَّى" means "to disrobe" or "to strip off." It signifies the act of removing or discarding something. In this Hadith, it refers to disrobing oneself from the garment of evil. The word (ash-sharr) "الشَّرِّ" means "evil" or "wrongdoing." It encompasses all sinful acts, immoral behavior, and vices that distance us from the path of righteousness.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:157),

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), who enjoins upon us what is right and forbids us from what is wrong. By adhering to the guidance of the Prophet (ﷺ) and wearing the garment of virtue, we disrobe ourselves from the shackles of evil and wrongdoing. This act of disrobing signifies a conscious effort to distance ourselves from sinful acts and to embrace righteousness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:35), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O children of Adam, if there come to you messengers from among you relating to you My verses - then whoever fears Allah and reforms - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

This verse highlights the importance of fearing Allah and reforming oneself. By wearing the garment of virtue, we demonstrate our fear and reverence for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and strive to reform our actions and behaviors.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder that by adorning ourselves with the garment of virtue, we not only distance ourselves from evil but also embody the qualities of righteousness and goodness. It encourages us to strive for moral excellence and to make conscious choices that align with the teachings of Islam. By doing so, we purify our hearts and souls, and we become a source of inspiration and guidance for others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of wearing the garment of virtue and disrobing ourselves from the garment of evil. It reminds us that by embracing righteousness and distancing ourselves from sinful acts, we can attain spiritual growth and draw closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to always choose the path of virtue and righteousness.