Hadith #10227

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ أعْرَضَ عَنْ نَصِيحَةِ النَّاصِحِ أُحْرِقَ بِمَكِيدَةِ الكاشِحِ

which translates to,

One who shuns the advice of a sincere adviser is burnt by the evil schemes of the one who harbours enmity against him.

Let us delve into the meanings of some key words in this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (nasīhah) "نَصِيحَةِ" refers to sincere advice or counsel given with the intention of benefiting the recipient. It is a selfless act of guiding someone towards what is good and beneficial for them. The term (an-nāsih) "النَّاصِحِ" refers to the sincere adviser, someone who genuinely wishes well for others and offers counsel based on their knowledge and wisdom.

On the other hand, the word (makīdah) "مَكِيدَةِ" means evil schemes or plots, while (al-kāshiḥ) "الكاشِحِ" refers to the one who harbors enmity or ill-will towards another. This person seeks to harm and deceive others through their cunning and deceitful tactics.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking and accepting sincere advice. In Surah Al-Imran (3:159), Allah says,

So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].

This verse highlights the significance of consultation and seeking advice from others, even from those who may have differing opinions. It encourages us to be open to guidance and to consider the perspectives of others. By doing so, we can avoid making hasty decisions and benefit from the wisdom and experience of those around us.

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 and seeking advice before taking any action. It warns against blindly accepting rumors or false information that may lead to harm and regret.

Now, let us reflect on the beautiful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. This Hadith serves as a reminder of the consequences of disregarding sincere advice. When we choose to ignore the counsel of those who genuinely wish well for us, we expose ourselves to the evil schemes and plots of those who harbor ill intentions towards us.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his advice was always rooted in the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). By rejecting his counsel or the counsel of any sincere adviser, we risk falling into the traps set by our enemies. These traps can manifest in various forms, such as deception, manipulation, or even physical harm.

To illustrate this, let us consider an example. Imagine a person receives sincere advice from a trusted friend to avoid associating with a certain group of individuals due to their negative influence. However, this person chooses to ignore the advice and continues to spend time with that group. As a result, they may become entangled in harmful activities, lose their moral compass, and suffer negative consequences in their personal and spiritual life.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for us to value and appreciate the sincere advice of those who genuinely care for our well-being. It urges us to be humble and open-minded, recognizing that seeking guidance and counsel is not a sign of weakness, but rather a means of attaining wisdom and avoiding potential harm.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of accepting sincere advice and the consequences of disregarding it. It urges us to seek guidance from those who possess knowledge and wisdom, and to be cautious of the evil schemes of those who harbor ill intentions towards us. By heeding the advice of sincere advisers, we can protect ourselves from harm and navigate through life with wisdom and discernment. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to recognize and appreciate sincere advice, and protect us from the plots of our enemies.