Hadith #10230

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, "قَدْ يَغُشُّ الْمُسْتَنْصِحُ۔" This can be translated into English as,

The one from whom [good] advice is sought may at times deceive.

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

The word (mustansih) "مُسْتَنْصِحُ" refers to the one who is sought for advice or consultation. This person is considered knowledgeable and wise, and people turn to them for guidance. However, the Hadith highlights the possibility that even such a person may deceive or mislead others.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 9:

They deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive it not.

This verse reminds us that deceivers may try to mislead not only others but also Allah and the believers. However, their deception ultimately harms only themselves, as they fail to realize the consequences of their actions.

Another verse that sheds light on the Hadith is Surah Al-Imran, verse 69:

A faction of the People of the Scripture wish they could mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they perceive it not.

This verse emphasizes that those who seek to mislead others, in this case, the People of the Scripture, end up deceiving themselves instead. Their deceptive actions have no impact on those who are steadfast in their faith.

From these Quranic verses, we can understand that the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the reality that even those who are considered knowledgeable and wise may sometimes deceive others. This serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious and discerning when seeking advice or guidance. It is essential to rely on the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as the ultimate sources of guidance, as they are free from any deception or falsehood.

Moreover, this Hadith also serves as a reminder for those who are in positions of offering advice or guidance. It is a call for them to be sincere, honest, and mindful of their responsibility towards those who seek their counsel. They must strive to provide genuine and beneficial advice, free from any ulterior motives or deception.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that even those who are sought for advice may at times deceive. It is crucial for Muslims to be discerning and rely on the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as the ultimate sources of guidance. It also serves as a reminder for those in positions of offering advice to be sincere and honest in their counsel. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of truth and protect us from deception.