Hadith #5981

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises Muslims to be cautious of two negative traits: being critical of others while being lenient towards oneself. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns that if one falls into this trap, it will lead to grave consequences and the deprivation of rewards.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The word (taa'ina) "طاعِناً" means to criticize or find fault in others. It refers to the act of constantly pointing out the flaws and shortcomings of people. On the other hand, (mudahina) "مُداهِناً" means to be lenient or forgiving towards oneself. It implies overlooking one's own faults and not holding oneself accountable.

To comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse emphasizes the importance of refraining from ridiculing or insulting others. It reminds us that we should not judge people based on our limited understanding, as they may be better than us in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Therefore, being critical of others without valid reasons is not only detrimental to our own spiritual growth but also goes against the teachings of the Quran.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:36), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

This verse reminds us to be cautious about passing judgments without proper knowledge. It urges us to seek knowledge and understanding before forming opinions about others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns that if we become critical of others while being lenient towards ourselves, the consequences will be severe. The phrase (fata'zuma 'alayka al-hawbata) "فَتَعْظُمَ عَلَيْكَ الحَوْبَةُ" indicates that this behavior will make our sins grave and burdensome. It implies that by constantly finding faults in others, we divert our attention from our own flaws and sins, which ultimately leads to a heavier burden on our souls.

Moreover, the phrase (watuhrama al-mathoobah) "وتُحْرَمَ المَثُوبَةَ" highlights that this behavior will deprive us of rewards. When we focus on criticizing others, we neglect the opportunity to engage in acts of kindness, compassion, and righteousness. As a result, we miss out on the blessings and rewards that come with such actions.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we understand the importance of self-reflection and self-accountability. It reminds us to be humble and to constantly strive for self-improvement. Instead of being critical of others, we should focus on rectifying our own faults and shortcomings. By doing so, we not only protect ourselves from the grave consequences of criticism but also create an environment of love, unity, and understanding among Muslims.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of being critical of others while being lenient towards oneself. It highlights the importance of avoiding judgment without proper knowledge and emphasizes the need for self-reflection and self-accountability. By adhering to these teachings, we can strive towards personal growth, unity, and the attainment of rewards from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the wisdom to implement these teachings in our lives.