Hadith #1911

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

كَفى بِالمَرْءِ جَهْلاً أنْ يُنْكِرَ عَلَى النّاسِ ما يَأتي مِثْلَهُ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of avoiding hypocrisy and ignorance by refraining from forbidding others from doing something that one engages in themselves.

Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. The word (jahlan) "جَهْلاً" refers to ignorance or lack of knowledge. It signifies a state of unawareness or being uninformed about a particular matter. The word (yunkira) "يُنْكِرَ" means to forbid or prohibit. It implies preventing or discouraging others from engaging in a certain action. The phrase (ma ya'ti mithlahu) "ما يَأتي مِثْلَهُ" translates to

that which he performs himself.

It highlights the contradiction between one's actions and words, where a person does something while prohibiting others from doing the same.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:2),

O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not.

This verse warns against raising one's voice above the voice of the Prophet (ﷺ) and highlights the importance of respecting his authority. It reminds us that our actions should align with our words, as hypocrisy can render our deeds worthless.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:44), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?

This verse admonishes those who command others to do good but neglect to apply the same principles to themselves. It urges us to reflect upon our own actions before advising others, reminding us of the importance of consistency and sincerity.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to avoid hypocrisy and ignorance. It highlights the detrimental consequences of engaging in actions while forbidding others from doing the same. Such behavior not only undermines one's credibility but also leads to a loss of respect and trust from others. It is essential for individuals to strive for self-awareness and self-improvement before attempting to guide or advise others.

This Hadith also emphasizes the importance of knowledge and understanding. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was renowned for his profound knowledge and wisdom. His statement reminds us that true knowledge is not merely theoretical but should be reflected in our actions. It encourages us to continuously seek knowledge and apply it in our lives, ensuring that our words and deeds are in harmony.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to avoid hypocrisy and ignorance. It highlights the importance of aligning our actions with our words and refraining from forbidding others from engaging in actions that we ourselves perform. By reflecting upon this Hadith and seeking knowledge, we can strive to be consistent, sincere, and upright in our conduct, thereby earning the respect and trust of others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the wisdom to avoid ignorance and hypocrisy.