Hadith #6237

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due 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 phrase in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is

مَنْ حُمِدَ عَلَى الظُّلْمِ مُكِرَ بِهِ

Let us analyze the important words in this phrase to gain a deeper understanding.

The word (humida) "حُمِدَ" comes from the root word (hamd) "حَمْد", which means praise or commendation. It refers to the act of expressing approval or admiration for someone. In this context, it signifies the act of praising or commending someone for their unjust actions.

The word (dhulm) "ظُّلْمِ" means injustice or oppression. It refers to any act that goes against justice, fairness, and equity. It involves depriving others of their rights, whether it be through physical harm, verbal abuse, or any form of mistreatment.

The word (mukira) "مُكِرَ" is derived from the root word (kayd) "كَيْد", which means deception or plotting. It signifies the act of scheming or planning against someone with the intention of deceiving or misleading them.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find verses that support and shed light on the essence of this Hadith.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:120):

And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, 'Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance.' If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper.

This verse highlights the importance of following the guidance of Allah and not seeking the approval of others who may be engaged in unjust actions. It emphasizes that seeking the praise and commendation of those who commit injustice is futile and can lead to being deceived and misled.

In Surah Al-An'am (6:116), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying.

This verse warns against blindly following the majority without considering the principles of justice and truth. It reminds us that the majority may often be engaged in wrongdoing and falsehood, and following them can lead to being misled and deviating from the path of Allah.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we understand that one who is praised for their injustice is actually being plotted against and deceived. When someone is commended for their unjust actions, it creates a false perception of their righteousness and encourages them to continue on the path of oppression. This praise serves as a form of deception, as it masks the true nature of their actions and leads others astray.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, highlights the dangerous consequences of praising injustice. He reminds Muslims to be vigilant and not fall into the trap of praising those who commit acts of oppression. By doing so, we protect ourselves from being deceived and misled, and we uphold the principles of justice and righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious and discerning in their actions and words. It teaches us the importance of upholding justice and not seeking the praise of others when it comes at the expense of fairness and equity. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the path of righteousness and protect us from the deception of praising injustice.