Hadith #7973

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The above mentioned Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of indulging in the pursuit of uncovering the hidden flaws of others. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns that whoever engages in this behavior, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) will make the affection of people's hearts forbidden to him.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith for a better understanding. The word (tatabba'a) "تَتَبَّعَ" means to follow or pursue, while (khafiyyat) "خَفِيّاتِ" refers to hidden flaws or faults. The term (mawaddat) "مَوَدَّاتِ" signifies affection or love, and (al-qulub) "القُلُوبِ" translates to hearts.

To comprehend the connotation of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 12:

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 refraining from making negative assumptions about others and warns against spying or backbiting. It highlights the repugnance of such behavior by comparing it to consuming the flesh of one's deceased brother. This analogy serves as a powerful reminder of the gravity of indulging in the pursuit of hidden flaws and the harm it inflicts upon the unity and harmony of the Muslim community.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 11, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding ridicule, insults, and offensive nicknames. It teaches us to refrain from belittling others and reminds us that we do not possess the knowledge to judge the worth or righteousness of individuals. By engaging in the pursuit of hidden flaws, we risk falling into the trap of arrogance and self-righteousness, which ultimately leads to the alienation of the affection and love of people's hearts.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the consequences of this behavior. When we constantly focus on the faults and shortcomings of others, we create an atmosphere of negativity and mistrust. People become wary of us, and their affection and love for us diminishes. This not only damages our relationships with others but also hinders our spiritual growth and development.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, understood the importance of unity and the detrimental effects of indulging in the pursuit of hidden flaws. He encourages us to adopt a mindset of compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. By focusing on our own self-improvement and striving to rectify our own flaws, we create an environment of love and acceptance, where the affection of people's hearts is not forbidden to us.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to refrain from pursuing the hidden flaws of others. By avoiding negative assumptions, spying, backbiting, ridicule, insults, and offensive nicknames, we can foster an atmosphere of love, unity, and acceptance. Let us strive to follow the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt, and may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to rectify our own flaws and the ability to spread love and affection among our fellow Muslims.