Hadith #9786

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ مَكَرَ حاقَ بِهِ مَكْرُهُ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the consequences of scheming and plotting. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (makara) "مَكَرَ" in Arabic refers to scheming, plotting, or devising a plan with the intention of deceiving or harming others. It involves cunning strategies and manipulative tactics. The word (haqa) "حاقَ" means to be afflicted or overtaken by something. And (makruhu) "مَكْرُهُ" refers to the consequences or outcomes of one's own scheming.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against scheming and plotting in several verses. In Surah Al-Anfal, Allah says, (Quran 8:30)

And they (the disbelievers) plotted and Allah planned, and Allah is the best of planners.

This verse highlights the contrast between the schemes of the disbelievers and the planning of Allah. While the disbelievers may think they are cleverly plotting against the believers, Allah's plan ultimately prevails. This serves as a reminder that no matter how intricate or well-thought-out our schemes may be, they are ultimately futile in the face of Allah's divine plan.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran, Allah says, (Quran 3:54)

And those who disbelieved planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners.

This verse emphasizes the superiority of Allah's plan over the plans of those who reject faith. It reminds us that no matter how cunning or deceitful our schemes may be, they can never outsmart Allah's wisdom and knowledge.

Now, let us reflect on the impactful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The Hadith teaches us that those who engage in scheming and plotting will ultimately be afflicted by the consequences of their own actions. This is a powerful reminder that our actions have consequences, and we will be held accountable for our intentions and deeds.

When someone schemes against others, they may believe that they are gaining an advantage or causing harm to their targets. However, they fail to realize that their scheming will eventually backfire on them. Just as Allah's plan prevails over the plans of the disbelievers, the schemer will ultimately face the consequences of their own actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound statement serves as a deterrent against engaging in deceitful and manipulative behavior. It reminds us to uphold the values of honesty, integrity, and justice in all our actions. Instead of resorting to scheming, we should strive to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) who were known for their wisdom, compassion, and righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of scheming and plotting. It highlights the futility of such actions in the face of Allah's divine plan. As Muslims, we should strive to avoid engaging in deceitful behavior and instead focus on embodying the values of honesty, justice, and righteousness. May Allah guide us to the straight path and protect us from the snares of scheming.