Hadith #4978

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises us to train our ears to listen well and to avoid paying attention to anything that does not bring us any benefit. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of actively choosing what we listen to and ensuring that it adds value to our lives.

The word (awwid) "عَوِّدْ" in the Hadith means to train or habituate oneself. It implies the need for conscious effort and discipline in developing the skill of listening effectively. By training our ears, we can enhance our ability to absorb and understand information, enabling us to make better decisions and improve our overall well-being.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to seek (husn al-istima'a) "حُسْنَ الاِسْتِماعِ", which translates to "good listening." This refers to actively engaging with what we hear, being attentive, and giving due consideration to the information being conveyed. It involves not only hearing the words but also understanding the underlying message and intent.

Furthermore, the Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns against paying attention to that which does not bring any benefit to us. This includes idle gossip, baseless rumors, and harmful conversations that do not contribute to our personal growth or the betterment of society. By avoiding such distractions, we can protect our hearts from being corrupted and maintain a positive and productive mindset.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of good listening in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 285:

The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], 'We make no distinction between any of His messengers.' And they say, 'We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.'

This verse highlights the believers' commitment to listening attentively to the message of Allah and obeying His commands. It demonstrates the significance of actively engaging with what we hear from the Prophet (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and aligning our actions accordingly.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 6:

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse encourages Muslims to critically evaluate the information they receive and not blindly accept everything that is presented to them. It emphasizes the importance of discernment and the need to verify the credibility and accuracy of what we hear before forming judgments or taking action. By doing so, we can avoid spreading falsehoods and causing harm to others.

Reflecting on the profound advice of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith, we realize the importance of being mindful of what we choose to listen to. By training our ears to listen well and focusing on that which brings us benefit, we can protect our hearts from negativity, enhance our understanding, and make informed decisions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to be selective in our listening and the strength to apply this guidance in our lives.