Hadith #7186

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

أعْقَلُ النّاسِ أعْذَرُهُمْ لِلنّاسِ

which translates to,

The most intelligent of people is the one who forgives [and accepts the excuses of] others the most.

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and understanding in our interactions with others.

To delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith, let us first explore the key words and concepts within it. The word (aql) "أعْقَلُ" refers to intelligence, wisdom, and sound judgment. It encompasses the ability to understand, analyze, and make wise decisions. (annas) "النّاسِ" refers to people, encompassing all individuals in society. (a'dharuhum) "أعْذَرُهُمْ" means to forgive or accept the excuses of others. It implies showing leniency, compassion, and understanding towards the mistakes or shortcomings of others.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that highlight the importance of forgiveness and understanding in our interactions with others. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:134),

And who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the virtue of restraining anger and pardoning others, as it is an act that is beloved to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, in Surah An-Nur (24:22), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse encourages Muslims to pardon and overlook the faults of others, reminding us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the Most Forgiving and Merciful. By forgiving others, we increase our chances of receiving forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the intelligence and wisdom of those who possess the ability to forgive and accept the excuses of others. Such individuals understand the imperfections and fallibility of human nature. They recognize that people make mistakes and are prone to errors. Instead of holding grudges or seeking revenge, they choose to forgive and move forward.

The act of forgiving others has profound consequences on both an individual and societal level. Personally, forgiveness brings inner peace, tranquility, and emotional healing. It frees us from the burden of anger, resentment, and negativity. By forgiving others, we release ourselves from the chains of negativity and open our hearts to compassion and understanding.

On a societal level, forgiveness fosters harmony, unity, and reconciliation. It promotes a culture of empathy, where individuals are willing to understand and accept the excuses of others. This leads to stronger relationships, increased trust, and a more peaceful coexistence within communities.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to cultivate the quality of forgiveness within themselves. It encourages us to strive for higher levels of intelligence and wisdom by embodying the noble trait of forgiving others. By doing so, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the most intelligent of people are those who forgive and accept the excuses of others the most. This beautiful saying emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and understanding in our interactions with others. By forgiving others, we not only attain inner peace and emotional healing but also contribute to the creation of a more compassionate and harmonious society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to forgive others and seek forgiveness for ourselves.