Hadith #7931

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

The greatest flaw is that you fault others for what is [also] in you.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their own actions and behaviors before criticizing or finding fault in others. It highlights the importance of self-reflection and self-accountability in our daily lives.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith. The word (akbaru) "أكْبَرُ" means "the greatest" or "the biggest." It emphasizes the magnitude of the flaw being discussed. The word (al-'ayb) "العَيْبِ" refers to a flaw, blemish, or defect. It signifies a negative characteristic or behavior that is undesirable. The word (ta'yiba) "تَعيبَ" comes from the root word (ayb) "عَيْب", which means to fault, criticize, or blame. It implies finding fault in others and pointing out their flaws. Lastly, the phrase (bima huwa feek) "بِما هُوَ فيكَ" translates to

for what is [also] in you.

It suggests that the same flaw or negative characteristic that one criticizes in others may also exist within oneself.

To further understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This ayah emphasizes the importance of refraining from ridiculing, insulting, or finding fault in others. It encourages Muslims to treat one another with respect and dignity, recognizing that each individual has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. It reminds us that passing judgment on others without considering our own flaws is not only unproductive but also goes against the teachings of Islam.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:36), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

This verse reminds us to refrain from making baseless judgments or assumptions about others. It encourages us to seek knowledge and understanding before passing judgment, as we will be held accountable for our actions and intentions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to engage in self-reflection and introspection. It urges us to focus on our own flaws and shortcomings before pointing them out in others. By doing so, we can cultivate humility, empathy, and compassion in our interactions with others. It also encourages us to strive for self-improvement and personal growth, recognizing that we are all fallible beings in need of constant self-correction.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of self-reflection and self-accountability. It reminds us to refrain from finding fault in others without first acknowledging and addressing our own flaws. By embodying these teachings, we can foster a more harmonious and compassionate society, where individuals strive to better themselves and uplift one another. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and humility to apply this Hadith in our lives.