Hadith #8951

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us not to be affected by what people say about us. He reminds us that if the accusations made against us are true, then it is a sin for which we will be held accountable. However, if the accusations are false, then it is a good deed that we have not performed, but it will still be recorded in our book of deeds.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its significance and relevance in our lives. The key words in this Hadith are (do not be disheartened) "لايَسُوءَنَّكَ" and (what people say about you)

ما يَقُولُ النّاسُ فيكَ

The phrase "لايَسُوءَنَّكَ" emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong and unwavering faith in the face of criticism or false accusations. It urges us not to let the negative opinions of others affect our self-esteem or confidence. This is a valuable lesson for all Muslims, as we often face criticism and judgment from society.

To further understand the wisdom behind this advice, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Anfal, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 3:100)

O you who have believed, if you obey a party of those who were given the Scripture, they would turn you back, after your belief, [to being] unbelievers.

This verse reminds us that the opinions of others should not sway us from the path of truth and righteousness. We should remain steadfast in our beliefs and not allow the criticism of others to lead us astray.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that if the accusations made against us are true, then it is a sin for which the punishment has been expedited. This highlights the importance of self-reflection and accountability. If we find that the accusations made against us are true, we should take it as an opportunity for self-improvement and seek forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Hujurat, (Quran 49:12)

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.

On the other hand, if the accusations made against us are false, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) assures us that it is recorded as a good deed that we have not performed. This highlights the mercy and justice of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Even if we are falsely accused, our patience and resilience in the face of adversity will be rewarded. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Qalam, (Quran 16:66)

And indeed, for you in the grazing livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies - between excretion and blood - pure milk, palatable to drinkers.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for all Muslims to remain steadfast in the face of criticism and false accusations. It teaches us the importance of self-reflection, accountability, and resilience. We should not allow the negative opinions of others to dishearten us, but instead, we should strive to improve ourselves and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to remain firm in our faith and protect us from the harm of false accusations.