Hadith #5413

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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 غَشَّ مُسْتَشِيرَهُ سُلِبَ تَدْبِيرُهُ۔

This Hadith highlights the severe consequence of cheating or deceiving someone who seeks your advice or consultation. The word (ghashsha) "غَشَّ" refers to deceiving or cheating, while (mustashirahu) "مُسْتَشِيرَهُ" refers to the one who seeks consultation. The word (suliba) "سُلِبَ" means to be taken away or deprived, and (tadbiruhu) "تَدْبِيرُهُ" refers to foresight or the ability to plan and make decisions wisely.

To understand the essence of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 283:

And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a security deposit should be taken. And if one of you entrusts another, then let him who is entrusted discharge his trust [faithfully] and let him fear Allah, his Lord. And do not conceal testimony, for whoever conceals it - his heart is indeed sinful, and Allah is Knowing of what you do.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's trust and being honest in all matters, including when someone seeks your advice. Cheating or deceiving someone who consults you not only violates their trust but also goes against the teachings of the Quran. It is a betrayal of the responsibility placed upon you as a person of knowledge and wisdom.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra, verse 36, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

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 of the importance of knowledge and wisdom. As Muslims, we are encouraged to seek knowledge and use it responsibly. When someone seeks our advice, it is our duty to provide them with accurate and sincere guidance based on our knowledge and understanding. Cheating or deceiving them not only deprives them of the right guidance but also puts the burden of responsibility on us, as we will be questioned about our actions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, warns us about the consequences of cheating the one who seeks our consultation. By doing so, we not only lose the trust and respect of others but also lose our own ability to make wise decisions. When someone seeks our advice, they rely on our judgment and foresight. If we betray their trust, our own ability to plan and make decisions wisely is taken away.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to be people of integrity and honesty in all aspects of our lives. When someone seeks our advice, we should provide them with sincere guidance based on our knowledge and understanding. By doing so, we not only fulfill our responsibility as Muslims but also maintain the trust and respect of others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to always be truthful and trustworthy in our dealings and consultations.