Hadith #7156

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

The intelligent person is one who covers up sins with forgiveness.

Let us delve into the meaning and significance of this wise utterance in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (taghammada) "تَغَمَّدَ" and (al-ghufran) "الغُفْرانِ". The word (taghammada) "تَغَمَّدَ" is derived from the root word (ghamada) "غَمَدَ", which means to cover or envelop something. In this context, it refers to covering up or concealing sins. The word (al-ghufran) "الغُفْرانِ" means forgiveness, pardon, or absolution.

The Quran emphasizes the concept of forgiveness and covering up sins in numerous verses. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:199),

Take to forgiveness and enjoin what is good and turn away from the ignorant.

This verse encourages believers to adopt forgiveness as a characteristic and to turn away from ignorance. By forgiving others and covering up their faults, we demonstrate our intelligence and wisdom.

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

Let not those among you who are blessed with graces and wealth swear not to give to their kinsmen, the poor, and those who migrated in the cause of Allah. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

This verse highlights the importance of forgiveness and generosity, reminding us that Allah is the Most Forgiving and Merciful. By forgiving others, we increase our chances of receiving Allah's forgiveness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement emphasizes the intelligence and wisdom of a person who covers up sins with forgiveness. It implies that instead of exposing and publicizing the sins of others, it is more virtuous and intelligent to forgive and conceal their faults. This approach not only helps maintain harmony within society but also allows individuals to rectify their mistakes without fear of humiliation or condemnation.

When we forgive others and cover up their sins, we create an environment of compassion, understanding, and growth. This act of forgiveness encourages individuals to reflect on their actions, seek repentance, and strive for self-improvement. It fosters a sense of unity and solidarity among Muslims, as we recognize that we all make mistakes and are in need of forgiveness.

Moreover, by covering up sins with forgiveness, we emulate the noble qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, exemplified this characteristic throughout his life. He forgave those who wronged him, even in the face of immense adversity, and demonstrated the power of forgiveness as a means of spiritual growth and personal development.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of forgiveness and covering up sins. By forgiving others and concealing their faults, we display intelligence, wisdom, and compassion. This act not only fosters unity and harmony within society but also allows individuals to seek repentance and strive for self-improvement. Let us strive to embody this noble characteristic and follow in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble progeny. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to forgive and seek forgiveness.