Hadith #6344

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, "الظن ارتياب" which translates to "Conjecture is suspicion" in English. Let us delve into the meaning of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (zann) "ظن" refers to conjecture or assumption, while (irtiyab) "ارتياب" means suspicion or doubt. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) succinctly captures the essence of these two concepts and highlights their negative implications. Conjecture and suspicion are detrimental to the human psyche, relationships, and society as a whole.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge, certainty, and avoiding baseless assumptions. Allah says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12),

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 detrimental nature of negative assumptions and the importance of avoiding them. It warns against the sin of making baseless assumptions, as it can lead to backbiting and harm to others. Allah reminds us to fear Him and seek His forgiveness, for He is the Most Merciful.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah says,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of verifying information before accepting it and acting upon it. It encourages Muslims to seek knowledge and avoid harming others based on mere conjecture.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims to refrain from jumping to conclusions or making assumptions without proper evidence. Conjecture and suspicion can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and damage to relationships. They can also lead to unfair judgments and mistreatment of others.

For example, if someone hears a rumor about a person and immediately believes it without verifying the information, they may unknowingly harm the reputation and well-being of that individual. This can have severe consequences not only for the person being falsely accused but also for the unity and harmony within the Muslim community.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound statement urges Muslims to seek knowledge, gather evidence, and refrain from making hasty judgments. It encourages us to adopt a mindset of fairness, justice, and compassion towards others. By doing so, we can foster a society based on trust, understanding, and unity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) "Conjecture is suspicion" serves as a reminder for Muslims to avoid baseless assumptions and suspicions. It encourages us to seek knowledge, verify information, and refrain from making hasty judgments. By doing so, we can promote a society based on justice, fairness, and compassion. May Allah guide us to always seek the truth and protect us from the harm of conjecture and suspicion.