Hadith #10493

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ غَشَّ نَفْسَهُ لَمْ يَنْصَحْ غَيْرَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who deceives himself cannot [sincerely] advise others.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of self-awareness and self-honesty in order to genuinely guide and counsel others.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith. The word (ghasha) "غَشَّ" means to deceive, cheat, or trick. It refers to the act of misleading oneself, either intentionally or unintentionally. The word (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ" means oneself or one's own soul. It signifies the individual's inner self, including their thoughts, desires, and intentions. The word (yansah) "يَنْصَحْ" means to advise, counsel, or sincerely guide someone with good intentions.

To understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

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. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse emphasizes the importance of not deceiving oneself by belittling or ridiculing others. It reminds us to be humble and not to consider ourselves superior to others. If we deceive ourselves by thinking we are better than others, we cannot sincerely advise or guide them. True guidance requires humility, empathy, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others.

Another Quranic verse that resonates with the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:44), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?

This verse highlights the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement before attempting to guide others. It reminds us that we should not neglect our own spiritual development while advising others to do good.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims. It teaches us that in order to sincerely advise others, we must first be honest with ourselves. We must constantly strive to purify our intentions, rectify our actions, and seek self-improvement. By doing so, we become better equipped to guide and counsel others in a sincere and meaningful manner.

When we deceive ourselves, we become blind to our own faults and shortcomings. This self-deception hinders our ability to offer genuine advice to others. It creates a barrier between us and the truth, preventing us from recognizing and addressing our own weaknesses. Consequently, our guidance to others becomes insincere and ineffective.

On the other hand, when we are self-aware and strive for self-improvement, our advice becomes more genuine and impactful. By acknowledging our own flaws and working to rectify them, we become more empathetic and understanding towards others. Our guidance is rooted in humility and a genuine desire to help others grow spiritually.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the importance of self-awareness and self-honesty in guiding and advising others. By avoiding self-deception and continuously striving for self-improvement, we become better equipped to offer sincere guidance to our fellow Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and humility to recognize our own faults and guide others with sincerity and compassion.