Hadith #2569

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

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

The fortune of a person that comes through the ears is for himself and that which is on the tongue for others.

This Hadith highlights the importance of both listening and speaking, and the consequences that they have on an individual.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith. The word (hazzu) "حَظُّ" refers to fortune or share, while (al-insan) "الإنْسَانِ" means a person. (fi al-udhun) "فِي الأُذُنِ" translates to "through the ears," and (linafsihi) "لِنَفْسِهِ" means "for himself." Similarly, (fi al-lisan) "فِي اللِّسَانِ" means "on the tongue," and (lighayrihi) "لِغَيْرِهِ" means "for others."

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:36),

And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

This verse emphasizes the importance of being mindful of what we listen to, as we will be held accountable for it.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse highlights the importance of verifying information before accepting and spreading it, as it can lead to harm and regret.

Now, let us reflect on the impactful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The fortune that comes through the ears refers to the knowledge and information that we acquire. This knowledge is a personal treasure that can benefit us in various aspects of life. It is our responsibility to seek beneficial knowledge, as it can guide us towards righteousness and success.

On the other hand, the fortune that is on the tongue refers to the words we speak and the information we share with others. Our speech has the power to impact those around us, either positively or negatively. Therefore, we must be cautious of what we say, ensuring that our words are truthful, beneficial, and in line with the teachings of Islam.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us of the importance of both listening and speaking. By being mindful of what we listen to, we can protect ourselves from falsehood and harmful information. By being conscious of what we say, we can positively influence others and contribute to the betterment of society.

Let us strive to follow the guidance of the Quran and the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek beneficial knowledge and the ability to use our words wisely. May He guide us to be a source of goodness and guidance for others.