Hadith #9789

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the seal of the Prophets, Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

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

لايَحيقُ المَكْرُ السَّيئُ إلاّ بِأهْلِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

Evil scheming does not beset anyone but those who practice it.

Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). The word (makr) "مَكْرُ" refers to scheming or plotting, while (as-sayi') "السَّيئُ" means evil or wickedness. The word (illa) "إلاّ" denotes an exception or limitation, and (bihlihi) "بِأهْلِهِ" means "with its people" or "by its practitioners."

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting a fundamental principle of justice and divine retribution. He is stating that the consequences of evil scheming will only affect those who engage in it. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is just and fair, and He ensures that the consequences of our actions are in line with our intentions and deeds.

This principle is beautifully echoed in the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Yunus, verse 81:

And when they plotted to kill him, Allah plotted too. And Allah is the best of plotters.

This verse refers to the plot of the brothers of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) to harm him. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) turned their evil plot into a means of elevating Yusuf's status and ultimately reuniting him with his family.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 30, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.

This verse refers to the plots and schemes of the disbelievers against the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Despite their evil intentions, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protected and supported His Prophet, and their schemes were ultimately futile.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that engaging in evil scheming and plotting is not only morally wrong but also self-destructive. Those who resort to such actions may initially believe that they can achieve their goals through deception and manipulation. However, they fail to realize that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the ultimate planner and that their schemes will ultimately backfire.

Moreover, this Hadith also emphasizes the importance of sincerity and righteousness in our intentions and actions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rewards those who strive to do good and punishes those who engage in evil. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 30, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

The Day every soul will find what it has done of good present [before it] and what it has done of evil, it will wish that between itself and that [evil] was a great distance. And Allah warns you of Himself, and Allah is Kind to [His] servants.

Therefore, as Muslims, we should strive to purify our intentions and actions, avoiding any form of deceit or wickedness. We should trust in Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) wisdom and justice, knowing that He will hold each individual accountable for their deeds. Let us seek His guidance and forgiveness, and may He protect us from the temptations of evil scheming.