Hadith #9489

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

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the immense power and impact of admonitions or words of advice. He describes how these admonitions can be truly transformative and influential, but only if they are received by individuals who possess certain qualities and characteristics. Let us delve deeper into the words of this hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this hadith is (mawāʿiẓah) "مَواعِظَ", which refers to admonitions or words of advice. These are powerful messages that have the potential to guide and inspire individuals towards righteousness and piety. The word (shāfiyah) "شافِيَةً" is used to describe the effectiveness of these admonitions. It signifies their ability to heal and rectify the hearts and souls of those who receive them.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then goes on to describe the qualities that are necessary for individuals to truly benefit from these admonitions. He mentions (qulūban zākiyah) "قُلُوباً زاكِيَةً", which translates to pure hearts. This refers to hearts that are free from impurities such as arrogance, jealousy, and hatred. Pure hearts are receptive to guidance and are more likely to be positively influenced by admonitions.

The Imam also emphasizes the importance of (asmāʿan waʿiyah) "أسْماعاً واعِيَةً", which means attentive ears. Attentive ears are those that actively listen and absorb the words being spoken. They are open to understanding and internalizing the message being conveyed. Such ears are not distracted or preoccupied, but rather focused and receptive to the wisdom being shared.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) mentions (ārāʾan ʿāzimah) "آراءً عازِمَةً", which refers to unwavering minds. These are minds that are firm in their convictions and resolute in their determination. They are not easily swayed by doubts or distractions, but rather steadfast in their pursuit of truth and righteousness. Such minds are able to fully comprehend and implement the teachings and admonitions they receive.

To further understand the significance of these qualities, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:2),

O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not.

This verse highlights the importance of attentive ears and respectful behavior when receiving guidance from the Prophet (ﷺ). Similarly, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises the believers to

obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart.

This verse emphasizes the need for unwavering minds that are not swayed by doubts or disagreements.

Reflecting on the wise words of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this hadith, we realize that the effectiveness of admonitions lies not only in the words themselves but also in the qualities of the recipients. Pure hearts, attentive ears, and unwavering minds are essential for individuals to truly benefit from the wisdom and guidance being imparted. As Muslims, we should strive to cultivate these qualities within ourselves so that we may be receptive to the admonitions of Allah and His messengers. By doing so, we can transform our lives and become beacons of guidance for others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody these qualities and benefit from the admonitions that come our way.