Hadith #11151

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 our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

صَلاحُ التَّقْوى تَجَنُّبُ الرَّيْبِ۔

This can be translated as,

The probity of God-wariness is [in] eschewing doubt.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. "صَلاحُ" refers to probity or righteousness, indicating a state of being morally upright and virtuous. "التَّقْوى" refers to God-wariness or piety, which encompasses the fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), consciousness of His presence, and striving to avoid anything that displeases Him. "تَجَنُّبُ" means to eschew or avoid, and "الرَّيْبِ" refers to doubt or uncertainty.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12),

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin.

This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding negative assumptions and baseless doubts. It reminds us that indulging in excessive suspicion can lead to sin and harm within our relationships and communities.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse highlights the importance of verifying information before passing judgment or taking action. It encourages us to seek knowledge and avoid hasty conclusions based on doubtful or unreliable sources.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) complements these Quranic teachings by emphasizing the significance of avoiding doubt. Doubt can lead to confusion, mistrust, and the erosion of faith. It can hinder our spiritual growth and prevent us from attaining true God-wariness. By eschewing doubt, we can maintain a firm and unwavering belief in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His guidance.

Practically, this Hadith encourages us to cultivate a mindset of certainty and trust in Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) wisdom and decree. It urges us to seek knowledge, ask questions, and clarify any uncertainties we may have. It reminds us to rely on authentic sources of information and to be cautious of spreading rumors or engaging in baseless speculation.

Moreover, the Hadith reminds us of the importance of maintaining a positive and optimistic outlook. It encourages us to have faith in the goodness of others and to give them the benefit of the doubt. By doing so, we can foster harmonious relationships and build a strong and united Muslim community.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the essence of God-wariness lies in avoiding doubt. It reminds us to be cautious of negative assumptions, baseless suspicions, and hasty judgments. By cultivating certainty, seeking knowledge, and maintaining a positive outlook, we can strengthen our faith, enhance our relationships, and strive towards righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to eschew doubt and increase our God-wariness.