Hadith #6238

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,

مَنْ كَثُرَ ظُلْمُهُ كَثُرَتْ نَدامَتُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One whose injustice is excessive, his regret is abundant.

In this impactful saying , Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of committing acts of injustice and oppression.

Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. (zulmuhu) "ظُلْمُهُ" refers to one's injustice or oppression. It encompasses any act of wrongdoing, whether it is against oneself or others. (kathurat) "كَثُرَتْ" means abundance or multiplicity, indicating that the regret of the oppressor will be numerous and overwhelming. (nadamatuhu) "نَدامَتُهُ" refers to regret or remorse, which is a natural consequence of committing acts of injustice.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of justice in numerous verses. In Surah An-Nisa (4:135), Allah says,

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.

This verse reminds us that justice should prevail even when it goes against our own interests or the interests of our loved ones.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah.

This verse emphasizes the importance of standing against oppression and striving for justice, even if it means taking action against fellow Muslims.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that the consequences of injustice are not limited to the immediate harm caused to others. Rather, the oppressor will also experience a profound sense of regret and remorse. This regret is not fleeting, but rather abundant and overwhelming.

When a person commits acts of injustice, they may initially feel a sense of power or superiority. However, as time passes and the consequences of their actions become apparent, they will be consumed by regret. This regret may manifest in various ways, such as a deep sense of guilt, a loss of peace of mind, or a feeling of emptiness. The more one engages in acts of injustice, the greater their regret will be.

The regret mentioned in this Hadith serves as a powerful deterrent against injustice. It reminds us that our actions have consequences, both in this world and the hereafter. It encourages us to reflect upon our behavior and to strive for justice in all aspects of our lives.

As Muslims, we should take this Hadith to heart and strive to be just in our dealings with others. We should avoid oppressing or wronging anyone, whether it is through our words, actions, or decisions. By doing so, we can ensure that our regret is minimal and that we are on the path of righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that excessive injustice leads to abundant regret. It reminds us of the importance of justice and the consequences of our actions. By reflecting upon this Hadith and aligning our behavior with the teachings of the Quran, we can strive to be just and avoid the overwhelming regret that accompanies acts of injustice. May Allah guide us all to the path of justice and righteousness.