Hadith #10021

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to remember the deceased in a negative light, by recalling their bad actions. This instruction serves as a reminder for Muslims to maintain respect and honor for the deceased, even if they may have had shortcomings in their lives.

The word (tadhkur) "تَذْكُرِ" in the Hadith means to remember or recall. It implies the act of bringing to mind the actions or qualities of someone who has passed away. The word (mawta) "مَوْتَى" refers to the deceased, those who have left this world. The word (bisoo) "بِسُوء" means negatively or in a bad light. And finally, the word (ithman) "إثْماً" translates to sin.

To understand 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 speaking ill of others, as it can lead to sin and disobedience. Similarly, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith advises against remembering the deceased in a negative manner, as it also leads to sin. It reminds us to focus on the positive aspects of their lives and to pray for their forgiveness and mercy from Allah.

Another verse that supports the essence of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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.

This verse highlights the importance of avoiding negative assumptions and backbiting, as they are sinful acts. It draws a parallel to the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) by reminding us that just as we would detest eating the flesh of our deceased brother, we should also detest speaking ill of them after their passing.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) instruction not to remember the dead negatively serves as a reminder for Muslims to uphold the principles of respect, forgiveness, and mercy. It encourages us to focus on the positive aspects of the deceased's life and to pray for their forgiveness and salvation. By doing so, we not only fulfill our duty towards the deceased but also protect ourselves from falling into sin.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of refraining from remembering the deceased in a negative light. It reminds us to focus on their positive qualities, seek forgiveness for their shortcomings, and avoid sin. By following this guidance, we uphold the principles of respect, forgiveness, and mercy, which are essential in the teachings of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to follow the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the ability to fulfill our obligations towards the deceased with sincerity and compassion.