Hadith #11011

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

The most beneficial of admonitions is that which deters [someone from sin].

This wise utterance emphasizes the importance of admonitions that serve as a deterrent against committing sins. To fully understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words.

The word (mawāʿiẓ) "مَواعِظِ" in Arabic refers to admonitions or advice that is intended to guide and counsel individuals. It encompasses words of wisdom and reminders that aim to prevent people from engaging in sinful actions. The word (radʿa) "رََدَعَ" means to deter or prevent someone from doing something, particularly from committing sins.

To support our understanding of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights the importance of advising one another towards truth and patience, which aligns with the concept of beneficial admonitions mentioned in the Hadith.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames.

This verse emphasizes the importance of advising and reminding believers to refrain from mocking or insulting others, as it can lead to sin and harm.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of admonitions that serve as a deterrent against sin. Such admonitions have the power to prevent individuals from engaging in sinful behavior and guide them towards righteousness. They act as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of adhering to the teachings of Islam.

For example, when a person is tempted to engage in backbiting or gossip, a beneficial admonition would be to remind them of the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), which states,

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 reminder serves as a deterrent, reminding the individual of the gravity of their actions and the displeasure of Allah.

In another scenario, if someone is inclined towards dishonesty or cheating, a beneficial admonition would be to remind them of the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:8), which states,

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This reminder acts as a deterrent, encouraging the individual to uphold justice and honesty, even in challenging circumstances.

The consequences of heeding or disregarding beneficial admonitions are significant. If individuals pay attention to such admonitions and allow them to deter them from sin, they will be protected from the negative consequences of their actions and will be guided towards righteousness. On the other hand, those who ignore or neglect beneficial admonitions may fall into sin, leading to spiritual and moral degradation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of beneficial admonitions that serve as a deterrent against sin. These admonitions, rooted in the teachings of the Quran, remind individuals of the consequences of their actions and guide them towards righteousness. By heeding such admonitions, Muslims can protect themselves from sin and strive towards spiritual growth and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah grant us the wisdom to benefit from these admonitions and protect us from the pitfalls of sin.