Hadith #10232

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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.

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

كَيْفَ يَنْصَحُ غَيْرَهُ مَنْ يَغُشَّ نَفْسَهُ؟!

which translates to,

How can one who deceives himself give sincere advice to others?

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of self-awareness and personal integrity in offering sincere advice to others.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (yansahu) "يَنْصَحُ" means to give sincere advice or counsel. It implies offering guidance and support with pure intentions, seeking the betterment of others. The word (ghayrahu) "غَيْرَهُ" refers to others or someone other than oneself. It emphasizes the act of advising someone other than the person who is deceiving themselves. Lastly, the phrase (yaghusha nafsahu) "يَغُشَّ نَفْسَهُ" means to deceive oneself. It signifies the act of deluding or tricking oneself into believing falsehoods or engaging in wrongful actions.

To comprehend the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:44),

Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?

This ayah reminds us of the importance of practicing what we preach and rectifying our own actions before advising others. It emphasizes the need for self-reflection and self-improvement as a prerequisite for offering sincere guidance to others.

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 passing it on to others. It cautions against spreading false or misleading advice, which can harm others and lead to regret.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder that one's ability to offer sincere advice to others is directly linked to their own self-awareness and integrity. If an individual is deceiving themselves, whether through their actions, beliefs, or intentions, they are unable to provide genuine guidance to others. Such a person may unknowingly pass on incorrect information, misguided opinions, or biased advice.

For instance, if someone is struggling with honesty and integrity in their own life, they may find it difficult to genuinely advise others on matters of trustworthiness and truthfulness. Their own self-deception hinders their ability to offer sincere counsel, as their advice may be tainted by their own shortcomings.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement also highlights the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement. It encourages individuals to constantly evaluate their own actions, intentions, and beliefs, striving to align them with the teachings of Islam. By rectifying their own shortcomings and purifying their hearts, individuals can then offer sincere and beneficial advice to others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize self-awareness and personal integrity. It emphasizes the need to rectify one's own actions and intentions before offering sincere advice to others. By reflecting on our own shortcomings and striving for self-improvement, we can become better equipped to guide and support our fellow Muslims in their journey towards righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and sincerity to offer genuine advice to others, and may He guide us all on the path of righteousness.