Hadith #10337

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

كُلُّ شَيْء يَنْفُرُ مِنْ ضِدِّهِ۔

This can be translated as,

Everything is averse to its opposite.

This enlightening saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) holds deep wisdom and can be understood in light of the teachings of the Quran.

In order to understand the meaning of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words used. The word (kullu) "كُلُّ" means "everything" or "all." (shay') "شَيْء" refers to "thing" or "object." (yanfuru) "يَنْفُرُ" means "to flee" or

to be averse to.

And (diddihi) "ضِدِّهِ" means "its opposite" or

that which is contrary to it.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find support for the wisdom contained in this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Nahl (16:46),

Or that Allah may catch them in the midst of their going to and fro (in their jobs), so that there be no escape for them (from Allah's punishment)?

This verse highlights the concept of fleeing or being averse to something. Just as individuals try to escape or avoid punishment, everything in this world has an inherent aversion towards its opposite. This aversion can be seen in various aspects of life, both physical and spiritual.

In the physical realm, we observe how opposites repel each other. For example, magnets with the same polarity push each other away. Similarly, positive and negative charges in electricity repel each other. This natural aversion towards opposites is a manifestation of the divine order established by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in the universe.

In the spiritual realm, we find that good and evil, righteousness and sin, truth and falsehood, are fundamentally opposed to each other. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:81),

And say: 'The truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed, falsehood is ever bound to depart.'

This verse emphasizes the inherent aversion between truth and falsehood. Just as light dispels darkness, truth naturally repels falsehood. The teachings of Islam, which are based on truth, guide Muslims to distance themselves from falsehood and evil. This Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the natural inclination of everything to be averse to its opposite.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can understand its profound implications. It reminds us that as Muslims, we should strive to align ourselves with what is good, righteous, and true. We should distance ourselves from what is evil, sinful, and false. This principle applies to all aspects of our lives, whether it be our actions, thoughts, or relationships.

By adhering to this principle, we can cultivate a harmonious and balanced existence. Just as the physical world operates in harmony when opposites are balanced, our spiritual well-being is enhanced when we align ourselves with goodness and distance ourselves from evil.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Everything is averse to its opposite

reminds us of the inherent aversion between opposites in both the physical and spiritual realms. It encourages us to seek what is good and righteous, while distancing ourselves from what is evil and false. By doing so, we can strive for a balanced and harmonious existence, in accordance with the teachings of the Quran. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to follow this wisdom and grant us success in this life and the hereafter.