Hadith #10958

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.

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

مَنْ صَدَّقَ الواشِيَ أفْسَدَ الصَّديقَ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

Whoever believes [the words of] a tattletale spoils his friendship.

Let us delve into the important words in this Hadith and their meanings. The word (saddaqa) "صَدَّقَ" means to believe or to consider something as true. (al-washiya) "الواشِيَ" refers to a tattletale or a person who spreads rumors or gossip. Finally, (as-sadiq) "الصَّديقَ" means friendship or companionship.

To understand the enlightening message behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6),

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 emphasizes the importance of verifying information before believing and spreading it. It warns against blindly accepting the words of a tattletale without proper investigation. By doing so, one may unknowingly harm others and later regret their actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises,

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

This verse highlights the importance of avoiding negative assumptions and backbiting. Believing the words of a tattletale without proper evidence can lead to negative assumptions and backbiting, which are condemned in Islam. Just as one would detest consuming the flesh of their deceased brother, one should detest spreading rumors and damaging the bonds of friendship.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims about the destructive nature of believing and spreading rumors. It warns against the detrimental consequences of blindly accepting the words of a tattletale, as it can lead to the erosion of trust and the deterioration of friendships.

By reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are encouraged to be cautious and discerning in their interactions. They are reminded to verify information before accepting it as true and to refrain from participating in gossip or spreading rumors. Upholding the principles of honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness is essential for maintaining strong and healthy relationships within the Muslim community.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of being vigilant and discerning when it comes to believing and spreading rumors. It reminds us to seek evidence and investigate before accepting information as true. By adhering to these principles, we can preserve the sanctity of our friendships and foster a community built on trust and mutual respect. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to follow the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt and grant us the wisdom to discern truth from falsehood.