Hadith #10202

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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, "رُبَّما غَشَّ الْمُسْتَنْصَحُ۔" This can be translated as,

At times one from whom sincere advice is sought, deceives.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ghasha) "غَشَّ" in this Hadith refers to deception or trickery. It signifies the act of misleading or betraying someone's trust. The word (mustansah) "مُسْتَنْصَحُ" refers to the one who seeks sincere advice. This person is genuinely seeking guidance and counsel from someone they trust.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the existence of deceivers and the importance of seeking sincere advice. In Surah Al-Imran, Allah says, (Quran 3:100)

O you who have believed, if you obey a group of those who were given the Scripture, they would turn you back, after your belief, [to being] unbelievers.

This verse highlights the danger of blindly following those who may deceive us, even if they possess knowledge or authority.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, Allah states, (Quran 49:7)

And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance, and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and those who are truly guided, rather than relying on individuals who may deceive us.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that even those who are sought for sincere advice may sometimes deceive. This deception can take various forms, such as providing misleading information, withholding important details, or manipulating the truth to serve their own interests.

The consequences of being deceived by someone from whom we seek sincere advice can be detrimental. It can lead us astray from the right path, cause us to make wrong decisions, and even harm our relationships and well-being. Therefore, it is crucial for Muslims to be cautious and discerning when seeking advice, ensuring that it comes from individuals who are trustworthy, knowledgeable, and sincerely committed to guiding others towards the truth.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed unparalleled knowledge and wisdom. His words serve as a beacon of guidance for Muslims. This Hadith reminds us that even the most knowledgeable individuals can fall into deception. It is a reminder to rely on Allah's guidance, seek knowledge from authentic sources, and constantly evaluate the advice we receive.

As Muslims, we should reflect on this Hadith and strive to be discerning in seeking advice. We should turn to the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for guidance, as they are the ultimate sources of truth. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from being deceived and grant us the wisdom to seek sincere advice from those who truly guide us towards righteousness.