Hadith #11487

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

هَلَكَ مَنْ باعَ اليَقينَ بِالشَّكِّ، والحَقَّ بالباطِلِ، والآجِلَ بِالعاجِلِ۔

This Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to hold steadfast to certitude, truth, and the belief in the Hereafter, and to avoid falling into the traps of doubt, falsehood, and the allure of worldly desires.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings of the key words in this Hadith. (yaqeen) "يَقينَ" refers to certitude or absolute conviction in one's faith. It is the unwavering belief in the existence and oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), the truthfulness of His Messenger (ﷺ), and the divine guidance of the Quran. (shakk) "شَّكِّ" denotes doubt or uncertainty, which can lead to wavering faith and confusion.

(haqq) "حَقَّ" signifies truth, righteousness, and justice. It encompasses the divine truth revealed in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). On the other hand, (batil) "باطِلِ" represents falsehood, deception, and deviation from the path of truth. It includes any ideology or belief system that contradicts the principles of Islam.

Lastly, (ajil) "آجِلَ" refers to the Hereafter, the eternal life that awaits every soul after death. It is the realm where individuals will be held accountable for their actions in this world. (aajil) "عاجِلِ" refers to the temporal world, the present life that is transient and fleeting.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of certitude, truth, and the belief in the Hereafter. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:15), Allah says,

Indeed, the believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.

This verse highlights the significance of unwavering faith and the rejection of doubt. Believers are those who firmly believe in Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) without any hesitation or uncertainty. They dedicate their wealth and lives in the path of Allah, demonstrating their absolute conviction in the truth of Islam.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:42), Allah warns against the consequences of selling the truth for falsehood. He says,

And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].

This verse cautions Muslims against compromising the truth or concealing it for personal gain or worldly desires. It emphasizes the importance of upholding the truth and not succumbing to the temptations of falsehood.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of abandoning certitude, truth, and the belief in the Hereafter. When an individual sells their certitude for doubt, they open themselves up to confusion and spiritual vulnerability. Doubt can weaken one's faith and lead them astray from the straight path.

Similarly, when someone sells the truth for falsehood, they compromise their integrity and betray the divine guidance bestowed upon them. This can lead to moral corruption and a deviation from the teachings of Islam. By prioritizing worldly desires and neglecting the belief in the Hereafter, individuals lose sight of their ultimate purpose and the consequences of their actions.

The consequences of abandoning certitude, truth, and the belief in the Hereafter are severe. It can result in the destruction of one's spiritual well-being and ultimately lead to their ruin in the Hereafter. The pursuit of temporary pleasures and the neglect of the eternal life can blind individuals to the reality of their existence and the accountability they will face on the Day of Judgment.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to hold steadfast to certitude, truth, and the belief in the Hereafter. It warns against the dangers of doubt, falsehood, and the allure of worldly desires. By reflecting on the teachings of the Quran and the wisdom of this Hadith, Muslims are encouraged to strengthen their faith, uphold the truth, and prioritize the eternal life over the transient pleasures of this world. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the straight path and protect us from the perils of doubt and falsehood.