Hadith #5362

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

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

ما آمَنَ بِاللّهِ مَنْ سَكَنَ الشَّكُّ قَلْبَهُ۔

This can be translated as:

He in whose heart doubt has settled does not believe in Allah.

Let us first delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (aman) "آمَنَ" means to believe or have faith. It is derived from the root word (amn) "أمن", which signifies safety, security, and tranquility. The word (billahi) "بِاللّهِ" refers to belief in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), the One and Only God. The word (sakan) "سَكَنَ" means to settle or reside, and (ash-shakk) "الشَّكُّ" refers to doubt or uncertainty.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:15):

The believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.

This ayah emphasizes that true believers are those who have firm faith in Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) and do not allow doubt to settle in their hearts. They wholeheartedly trust in Allah's guidance and rely on His wisdom. Their faith is unwavering, and they are willing to sacrifice their wealth and lives for the sake of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:260), Allah recounts the story of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his unwavering faith. When Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) asked Allah to show him how He brings the dead back to life, Allah commanded him to take four birds, cut them into pieces, and place a portion of each bird on different mountaintops. Then, Allah commanded Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to call the birds, and they came back to life and flew towards him. This miraculous event solidified Ibrahim's faith and removed any trace of doubt from his heart.

From these ayats, we can understand that doubt is antithetical to true belief. Doubt weakens our faith and prevents us from fully submitting to Allah's will. It hinders our ability to trust in His promises and guidance. Just as darkness cannot coexist with light, doubt cannot coexist with true faith.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that a heart filled with doubt cannot truly believe in Allah. Doubt is a barrier that prevents us from experiencing the tranquility and peace that comes with unwavering faith. It is only through eliminating doubt and nurturing a strong and unshakeable belief in Allah that we can attain true faith and find solace in His presence.

The consequences of allowing doubt to settle in our hearts are far-reaching. Doubt can lead to confusion, indecision, and a lack of conviction in our actions. It can weaken our resolve and make us susceptible to the whispers of Shaytan. Moreover, doubt can hinder our spiritual growth and prevent us from attaining the closeness to Allah that we strive for.

Therefore, it is essential for us as Muslims to continuously seek knowledge, strengthen our faith, and actively combat doubt. We must turn to the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt for guidance and inspiration. By deepening our understanding of Islam and reflecting on the signs of Allah's creation, we can dispel doubt and strengthen our belief in Him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for all Muslims to guard against doubt and nurture a firm and unwavering belief in Allah. Doubt is a hindrance to true faith and prevents us from experiencing the peace and tranquility that comes with complete trust in Allah's wisdom and guidance. By seeking knowledge, reflecting on the Quran, and emulating the examples set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt, we can overcome doubt and strengthen our faith, allowing us to lead a life of purpose and submission to Allah's will. May Allah guide us all and protect us from the whispers of doubt.