Hadith #5966

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 and noble family, and his righteous companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Whoever deviates from the truth, good becomes evil for him and evil becomes good, and he gets intoxicated with the intoxication of misguidance.

This impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of straying from the path of truth and righteousness.

Let us delve into the words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (zaga) "زاغَ" refers to deviation or straying from the right path. When a person deviates from the truth, the Hadith states that (sa'at 'indahu al-hasanah) "ساءَتْ عِنْدَهُ الحَسَنَةُ", meaning that good becomes evil in their perception. This implies that their moral compass becomes distorted, and they no longer recognize the value of virtuous actions.

Conversely, the Hadith states that (wa-husunat 'indahu as-sayyiah) "وحَسُنَتْ عِنْدَهُ السَّيِّئَةُ", meaning that evil becomes good in their eyes. This signifies a dangerous state of moral inversion, where they start justifying and even glorifying sinful deeds. Such a mindset leads to the erosion of ethical boundaries and the acceptance of immorality.

The Hadith further warns that the person who deviates from the truth becomes (sukira sukr ad-dalalah) "سُكِرَ سُكْرَ الضَّلالَةِ", which can be translated as

intoxicated with the intoxication of misguidance.

This metaphorical expression emphasizes the profound impact of straying from the right path. Just as intoxication clouds one's judgment and impairs their ability to differentiate between right and wrong, misguidance similarly distorts one's perception and leads them astray.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 16: (Quran 2:16)

These are the ones who have exchanged guidance for error and forgiveness for punishment. How patient they are in pursuit of the Fire!

This verse highlights the consequences of deviating from the truth, as those who willingly choose misguidance exchange the blessings of guidance for the torment of punishment.

In Surah Al-A'raf, verse 175, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the state of those who deviate from the truth: (Quran 7:175)

And recite to them the story of the one to whom We gave Our signs, but he detached himself from them; so Satan pursued him, and he became of those who went astray.

This verse emphasizes the danger of straying from the signs and guidance of Allah, as it opens the door for Satan to lead one further into misguidance.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we understand that deviating from the truth has severe consequences. It distorts our perception of good and evil, leading us to justify sinful actions and reject virtuous deeds. This state of misguidance is likened to intoxication, as it clouds our judgment and hinders our ability to discern right from wrong.

As Muslims, it is crucial for us to hold steadfast to the truth and seek guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. We must constantly strive to align our actions with the principles of righteousness and avoid the pitfalls of deviation. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from straying from the truth and grant us the ability to recognize and reject misguidance.