Hadith #4404

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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,

مَنْ أقَلَّ الاِسْتِرسالَ سَلِمَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who confides less in others is safe.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (aqla) "أقَلَّ" means to minimize or reduce, while (al-istirsal) "الاِسْتِرسالَ" refers to confiding or revealing one's secrets to others. Finally, (salima) "سَلِمَ" means to be safe or secure.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12),

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 ayah emphasizes the importance of avoiding negative assumptions, spying, and backbiting. It teaches us to refrain from prying into the affairs of others and spreading rumors or gossip. By confiding less in others, we can protect ourselves from falling into these harmful behaviors.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:27), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) recounts the story of the sons of Adam (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). When one of the sons killed the other out of envy, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) sent a raven to show him how to bury the body of his brother. The son of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) exclaimed,

Woe to me! Have I failed to be like this raven and bury my brother's body?

From this story, we learn the importance of keeping our secrets and not revealing them to others, as it can lead to harm and regret.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, advises us to confide less in others in order to ensure our safety. By keeping our secrets to ourselves, we prevent the possibility of those secrets being used against us or causing harm to others. This does not mean that we should isolate ourselves or refrain from seeking advice or help when needed. Rather, it encourages us to exercise caution and discernment in choosing whom we share our personal matters with.

Confiding less in others can protect us from potential betrayal, gossip, or the misuse of our secrets. It allows us to maintain our dignity and integrity, as well as safeguard our relationships. It also encourages self-reliance and self-reflection, as we learn to rely on our own judgment and seek guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) through prayer and reflection on His words.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of confiding less in others in order to ensure our safety and protect our secrets. By drawing upon the guidance of the Quran, we understand the significance of avoiding negative assumptions, spying, and backbiting. We are reminded of the story of the sons of Adam (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the consequences of revealing secrets. By following this advice, we can maintain our dignity, protect our relationships, and rely on our own judgment while seeking guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to apply this teaching in our lives and protect us from harm.