Hadith #6699

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

Mani 'itaḏara min ghayri dhanbin faqad awjab 'alā nafsihi adh-dhunb.

This Hadith emphasizes the consequences of seeking pardon without having committed any sin. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word "itaḏara" in Arabic means to seek pardon or to apologize. It implies a sense of regret and remorse for a wrongdoing. The word "ghayri" means without or other than, and "dhanb" refers to sin. Hence, the Hadith warns that one who seeks forgiveness without having committed any sin is actually burdening themselves with the sin they claim to have committed.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:284), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will bring you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills, and Allah is over all things competent.

This verse highlights the fact that Allah is fully aware of our innermost thoughts and intentions. He knows whether we have truly committed a sin or not. Seeking forgiveness for a sin that we have not committed is a form of deception and insincerity. It is an attempt to manipulate the mercy of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for personal gain.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:95), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in the state of ihram. And whoever of you kills it intentionally - the penalty is an equivalent from sacrificial animals to what he killed, as judged by two just men among you as an offering [to Allah] delivered to the Ka'bah, or an expiation: the feeding of needy people or the equivalent of that in fasting, that he may taste the consequence of his deed. Allah has pardoned what is past; but whoever returns [to violation], then Allah will take retribution from him. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution.

This verse highlights the concept of accountability and the consequences of intentional actions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) pardons what is past, but He also holds us responsible for our deliberate actions. Seeking forgiveness for a sin that we have not committed is a futile attempt to escape the consequences of our actions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us through this Hadith that sincerity and honesty are essential in seeking forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should only seek pardon for the sins we have truly committed, acknowledging our mistakes and striving to rectify them.

By imposing a sin upon ourselves through insincere repentance, we not only deceive ourselves but also undermine the mercy and justice of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is crucial for us, as Muslims, to be mindful of our intentions and actions, seeking forgiveness for our genuine mistakes and striving to improve ourselves.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to sincere repentance and grant us the wisdom to seek forgiveness for our true sins. May He bless us with the ability to recognize our shortcomings and rectify them, and may He shower His mercy and forgiveness upon us.