Hadith #6850

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

Man ulhima al-'ismata amin az-zalal.

This Hadith highlights the concept of being inspired with preservation from sin, which leads to protection from error. Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The term "ulhima" refers to being divinely inspired or guided. It signifies a special knowledge or understanding that is bestowed upon an individual by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). In this context, it refers to the divine inspiration of "al-'ismah," which means preservation from sin. This divine preservation is a gift from Allah, granted to certain individuals who possess a high level of piety and righteousness.

To comprehend the significance of this divine preservation, we turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states in Surah Al-A'raf (7:143),

When Musa came at the appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he asked, 'O my Lord, show Yourself to me so that I may look at You.' Allah replied, 'You cannot bear to see Me. However, look at the mountain; if it remains firm in its place, then you will be able to see Me.' When his Lord manifested His glory to the mountain, He made it crumble to dust, and Musa fell down unconscious. When he recovered, he said, 'Glory be to You! I turn to You in repentance and I am the first to believe.'

This verse illustrates the immense power and glory of Allah, which cannot be fully comprehended by human beings. Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) desired to witness the divine presence directly, but Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) revealed that such a sight would be overwhelming for Musa. The mountain, however, was unable to withstand the manifestation of Allah's glory and crumbled to dust. This incident highlights the importance of divine preservation, as even the strongest of creations cannot bear the full weight of Allah's presence.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states in Surah Al-Hijr (15:9),

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian.

This verse emphasizes the divine preservation of the Quran, ensuring its protection from any alteration or corruption. The preservation of the Quran is a testament to Allah's divine wisdom and His commitment to safeguarding His message.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the meaning of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The one who is inspired with preservation from sin is saved from error. This divine preservation acts as a shield, guarding the individual from falling into the traps of sin and deviation. It is a divine blessing that protects the believer from straying away from the path of righteousness.

When an individual is granted this divine preservation, they are bestowed with a deep understanding of the consequences of their actions. They possess a heightened awareness of the potential pitfalls and temptations that may lead them astray. This knowledge serves as a guiding light, enabling them to make wise choices and avoid the errors that others may fall into.

The consequences of being inspired with preservation from sin are profound. It leads to a life of righteousness, piety, and obedience to Allah's commands. The individual becomes a beacon of guidance for others, inspiring them towards the path of righteousness. Their actions and words are infused with wisdom and purity, serving as a source of inspiration for the entire Muslim community.

Reflecting upon this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of seeking divine guidance and striving for righteousness. We should constantly supplicate to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to grant us the gift of preservation from sin. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from error and ensure that our actions are in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of being divinely inspired with preservation from sin. This divine gift acts as a shield, protecting the believer from falling into error and deviation. It is a blessing that enables the individual to lead a righteous life and serve as a source of guidance for others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us all the divine preservation from sin and guide us on the straight path.