Hadith #7497

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the true essence of a knowledgeable person. The key words in this Hadith are (the scholar) "العالِمُ", (who does not prevent the servants from having hope in the mercy of Allah)

مَنْ لَمْ يَمْنَعِ العِبادَ الرَّجاءَ لِرَحْمَةِ اللّهِ

and (and does not give them false security from the scheme of Allah) "وَلَمْ يُؤْمِنْهُمْ مَكْرَاللّهِ".

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the Quranic verses that shed light on its meaning. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of having hope in His mercy. In Surah Az-Zumar (39:53), Allah says,

Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'

This verse reminds us that no matter how grave our sins may be, we should never lose hope in the mercy of Allah. A true scholar, as described by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), is someone who does not discourage people from seeking Allah's forgiveness and mercy. They do not create barriers between the servants of Allah and His infinite mercy.

On the other hand, the Hadith also warns against giving false security to the people. This means that a true scholar does not mislead others into thinking that they are immune from the consequences of their actions. They do not provide a false sense of security, making people believe that they can continue sinning without any accountability.

In Surah Al-Anfal (8:30), Allah says,

And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.

This verse reminds us that Allah's plan is always superior to any human plan. A true scholar understands this and does not give false security to the people by making them believe that they can outsmart or manipulate Allah's plan.

The consequences of following the teachings of a true scholar, as described by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), are profound. By not preventing people from having hope in Allah's mercy, the scholar instills a sense of optimism and motivation in the hearts of the believers. They encourage them to seek forgiveness and turn towards Allah, knowing that His mercy is vast and all-encompassing.

At the same time, by not giving false security from the scheme of Allah, the scholar reminds the believers of the importance of accountability and responsibility. They prevent them from falling into complacency and encourage them to continuously strive for righteousness and avoid sinful actions.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see the importance of seeking knowledge from scholars who embody the true essence of knowledge. A true scholar is not only knowledgeable in terms of facts and information, but also possesses the wisdom to guide people towards the path of righteousness. They strike a balance between hope in Allah's mercy and the fear of His punishment, motivating and inspiring the believers to lead a life that is pleasing to Allah.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the qualities of a true scholar. They do not prevent people from having hope in Allah's mercy, while also reminding them of the consequences of their actions. By embodying these qualities, a true scholar becomes a source of guidance and inspiration for the believers, helping them navigate through the challenges of life while seeking the pleasure of Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to seek knowledge from true scholars and benefit from their wisdom.