Hadith #3121

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

From the signs of being forsaken by Allah is considering that which is evil as something good.

This impactful saying highlights an important aspect of human behavior and serves as a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant in distinguishing between good and evil.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (khiḍlān) "خِذلان" refers to being forsaken or abandoned by Allah. It implies a state of being distant from the mercy and guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word (istiḥsān) "اِسْتِحْسانُ" means considering or deeming something to be good or favorable. And (al-qabīḥ) "القَبيحِ" refers to that which is evil or morally repugnant.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:179),

And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.

This verse highlights the consequences of forsaking Allah's guidance and indulging in evil. When individuals fail to recognize the true nature of evil and consider it as something good, they become spiritually blind and deaf. Their hearts become hardened, and they lose the ability to discern right from wrong. They become like cattle, driven solely by their base desires and instincts, devoid of any moral compass.

Another verse that sheds light on this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Isra (17:81), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And say: 'Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature], ever bound to depart.'

This verse emphasizes the inherent nature of falsehood to eventually perish and be exposed. When individuals consider evil as good, they are deluded by falsehood and fail to recognize the truth. This delusion leads them further away from the path of righteousness and closer to being forsaken by Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a warning against the dangers of moral relativism and the blurring of ethical boundaries. It reminds us that as Muslims, we must strive to uphold the values and principles prescribed by Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). We should seek knowledge and understanding to differentiate between good and evil, and not be swayed by societal norms or personal desires.

Considering evil as something good can have severe consequences on both an individual and society as a whole. It can lead to the erosion of moral values, the spread of corruption, and the loss of spiritual guidance. Muslims must be vigilant in recognizing and rejecting evil, and actively promote goodness and righteousness in all aspects of their lives.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be discerning in distinguishing between good and evil. By considering evil as something good, individuals risk being forsaken by Allah and losing their moral compass. It is incumbent upon us to seek knowledge, adhere to the teachings of the Quran, and follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in order to safeguard ourselves from such a fate. May Allah guide us all on the straight path and protect us from the delusions of evil.