Hadith #7975

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of concealing the faults and flaws of others. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its essence and significance.

The key words in this Hadith are (usturi al-'awrata) "أُسْتُرِ العَوْرَةَ" which means

Hide the flaws [of others]

and (yasturi Allah subhanahu minka ma tuhibbu satrahu)

يَسْتُرِ اللّهُ سُبْحانَهُ مِنْكَ ما تُحِبُّ سَتْرَهُ

which means

and Allah, the Glorified, will hide for you that which you would like to remain hidden.

To understand the significance of hiding the flaws of others, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse teaches us the importance of respecting and honoring others, regardless of their flaws or shortcomings. By concealing the faults of others, we uphold their dignity and prevent the spread of negativity and division within the Muslim community. This act of concealing flaws is an embodiment of the Islamic principle of

enjoining good and forbidding evil.

Furthermore, the Hadith highlights that when we hide the flaws of others, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) will conceal our own faults and protect us from embarrassment and humiliation. This concept is beautifully expressed in Surah Al-A'raf (7:55), where Allah says,

Call upon your Lord in humility and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors.

By concealing the flaws of others, we demonstrate humility and avoid transgressing the boundaries of gossip and backbiting. In return, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) promises to protect our own flaws and weaknesses from being exposed. This protection is a manifestation of Allah's mercy and His desire to see His servants succeed in both this world and the Hereafter.

Practically speaking, hiding the flaws of others involves refraining from spreading rumors, gossip, or engaging in backbiting. It requires us to focus on the positive aspects of individuals and to give them the benefit of the doubt. It also encourages us to offer support and assistance to those who may be struggling, rather than criticizing or judging them.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of concealing the flaws of others. By doing so, we uphold their dignity, promote unity within the Muslim community, and earn the protection and mercy of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us strive to embody this teaching in our interactions with others, and may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to do so.