Hadith #3118

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,

مَنْ خادَعَ اللّهَ خُدِعَ۔

which translates to

One who tries to deceive Allah is [himself] deceived.

This enlightening Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the futility and consequences of attempting to deceive Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The word (khada'a) "خادَعَ" in this Hadith refers to deceiving or trying to outwit someone. It implies an act of dishonesty or trickery. The word (khudi'a) "خُدِعَ" means being deceived or falling into one's own trap. Thus, the Hadith warns that anyone who attempts to deceive Allah will ultimately be deceived themselves.

This Hadith is a powerful reminder for Muslims to be sincere in their worship and actions, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is All-Knowing and All-Seeing. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity and honesty in all aspects of life, recognizing that Allah cannot be deceived.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 3:54)

And they plotted and Allah planned, but Allah is the best of planners.

This verse highlights the fact that no matter how cunning or deceptive one may be, Allah's plan always prevails. Therefore, attempting to deceive Allah is an exercise in futility.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 3:120)

And they deceived Allah and those who believed, but they were not to deceive Him except themselves, and they perceive it not.

This verse serves as a reminder that those who try to deceive Allah are only deceiving themselves. They may think they are cleverly manipulating the situation, but in reality, they are only falling into their own trap.

The consequences of attempting to deceive Allah are severe. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns, (Quran 2:140)

And who is more unjust than one who conceals a testimony he has from Allah? And Allah is not unaware of what you do.

This verse highlights the injustice of hiding the truth or attempting to deceive Allah. It reminds us that Allah is fully aware of our actions and intentions, and we will be held accountable for our deceit.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that it is a call to sincerity and honesty in our relationship with Allah. It reminds us that we cannot hide anything from Him, and any attempts to deceive Him will only lead to our own downfall. Instead, we should strive to be truthful and sincere in our worship, seeking His pleasure and forgiveness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, provides us with this profound insight into the consequences of trying to deceive Allah. As Muslims, we should take this Hadith to heart and strive to be sincere in our actions, knowing that Allah's knowledge encompasses everything and that we cannot deceive Him.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to the path of sincerity and protect us from the temptation of deceit. May we always strive to be honest and true in our worship, seeking His pleasure above all else. Ameen.