Hadith #6415

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.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to take counsel from the examples of others, learn lessons from changing situations, and take benefit from the warners. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ittai'zoo) "اِتَّعِظُوا" in the Hadith means to seek counsel or advice. It emphasizes the importance of learning from the experiences of others. This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Quran in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 46, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) instructs the believers to

obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

The word (al-ibar) "العِبَرِ" refers to the lessons or morals that can be derived from these examples. It reminds us that every situation and every person we encounter can teach us something valuable. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 20,

Say, [O Muhammad], 'Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will produce the final creation. Indeed Allah, over all things, is competent.'

The phrase (wa'atbiru bil-ghayr) "واعْتَبِروُا بِالغِيَرِ" urges us to reflect on the changing situations around us. It encourages us to be observant and adaptable, learning from the circumstances that unfold. This is echoed in Surah Al-Imran, verse 137, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Many similar ways were passed on before you, so travel through the earth and observe how the punishment of those who denied [the messengers] came to be.

The phrase (wantafioo bin-nudhur) "وانْتَفِعُوا بِالنُّذُرِ" emphasizes the importance of benefiting from the warners. It reminds us to pay attention to those who caution us and provide guidance. In Surah Al-A'raf, verse 63, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) tells us,

Then We sent following their footsteps Our messengers and followed [them] with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel. And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy and monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them except [that they did so] seeking the approval of Allah. But they did not observe it with due observance. So We gave the ones who believed among them their reward, but many of them are defiantly disobedient.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wise counsel in this Hadith encourages us to seek guidance from the experiences of others, learn from the changing situations around us, and benefit from those who warn us. By doing so, we can gain valuable insights, avoid repeating mistakes, and make informed decisions in our lives.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see the importance of seeking knowledge and being open to learning from various sources. It reminds us that wisdom can be found in the experiences of others, in the lessons that life presents us, and in the guidance of those who warn us of potential pitfalls.

As Muslims, we should strive to embody the teachings of this Hadith by actively seeking counsel, reflecting on the lessons of life, and benefiting from the guidance of those who offer it. By doing so, we can grow in wisdom, make better choices, and navigate the challenges of life with greater understanding and insight. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives and benefit from the wisdom of others.