Hadith #9405

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May the blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "اللَّجَاجُ بَذْرُ الشَّرِّ" which translates to

Stubbornness is the seed of evil.

This thought-provoking saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the detrimental nature of stubbornness and its connection to the emergence of evil.

To fully comprehend the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. (al-lajaj) "اللَّجَاجُ" refers to stubbornness, obstinacy, or being unyielding in one's opinions or actions. It implies a refusal to accept the truth or to change one's stance even when presented with clear evidence or reasoning. (bathr) "بَذْرُ" means seed, which symbolizes the origin or source of something. And (ash-sharr) "الشَّرِّ" signifies evil, harm, or negativity.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that shed light on the concept of stubbornness and its consequences. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the stubbornness of the Children of Israel when they were commanded to sacrifice a cow:

(Quran 2:60-61)

And [recall] when Moses prayed for water for his people, so We said, 'Strike with your staff the stone.' And there gushed forth from it twelve springs, and every people knew its watering place. 'Eat and drink from the provision of Allah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.' And [recall] when you said, 'O Moses, we can never endure one [kind of] food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions.' [Moses] said, 'Would you exchange what is better for what is less? Go into [any] settlement and indeed, you will have what you have asked.' And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned with anger from Allah [upon them]. That was because they [repeatedly] disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That was because they disobeyed and were [habitually] transgressing.

This verse illustrates the consequences of the Israelites' stubbornness and their refusal to accept the provisions provided by Allah. Their insistence on specific foods led to their humiliation, poverty, and anger from Allah. This serves as a clear example of how stubbornness can lead to negative outcomes and distance one from the blessings of Allah.

Another verse that highlights the dangers of stubbornness is found in Surah Al-Qasas, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the arrogance and obstinacy of Pharaoh:

(Quran 27:13-14)

But when Our verses came to them as clear evidences, they said, 'This is obvious magic.' And they rejected them, while their [inner] selves were convinced thereof, out of injustice and haughtiness. So see how was the end of the corrupters.

Pharaoh's stubbornness and refusal to accept the signs and miracles brought by Prophet Moses (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) were rooted in his arrogance and injustice. This ultimately led to his downfall and the destruction of his people. This serves as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of stubbornness and its association with evil.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement,

Stubbornness is the seed of evil,

emphasizes the link between obstinacy and the emergence of negative consequences. When individuals cling to their opinions or actions without considering alternative viewpoints or guidance from Allah, they risk falling into the trap of evil. Stubbornness hinders personal growth, impedes the acceptance of truth, and can lead to harmful outcomes both individually and collectively.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to cultivate humility and open-mindedness in our interactions with others. We must be willing to reassess our beliefs and actions in light of new information or guidance from Allah. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of stubbornness and safeguard ourselves from the seeds of evil. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and protect us from the harms of obstinacy.