Hadith #4003

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Three things are the disgrace of religion: lewdness, treachery, and betrayal [of trust].

Let us delve into the meanings of these words and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the word "lewdness" or "fujur" in Arabic. It refers to any act of immorality, indecency, or immodesty that goes against the teachings of Islam. This includes engaging in illicit relationships, indulging in forbidden desires, and displaying immodest behavior. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against such actions in the Quran, stating in Surah Al-Isra (17:32),

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.

Secondly, the word "treachery" or "ghadr" refers to the act of betraying someone's trust or deceiving them. It involves breaking promises, backstabbing, and acting dishonestly towards others. The Quran condemns treachery and emphasizes the importance of trustworthiness. In Surah Al-Anfal (8:27), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, do not betray Allah and the Messenger or betray your trusts while you know [the consequence].

Lastly, the word "betrayal" or "khiyanah" refers to the act of betraying the trust placed upon oneself. It encompasses any act of disloyalty, deceit, or breach of faith. The Quran emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's trust and warns against betraying it. In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:1), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts. Lawful for you are the animals of grazing livestock except for that which is recited to you [in this Qur'an] - hunting not being permitted while you are in the state of ihram.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights these three actions as the disgrace of religion because they go against the core principles of Islam. Lewdness tarnishes the purity and sanctity of the soul, treachery destroys trust and unity within the community, and betrayal undermines the very foundation of relationships and society.

The consequences of these actions are far-reaching. Lewdness leads to moral corruption, spiritual degradation, and the erosion of values. Treachery destroys the fabric of trust, causing division, suspicion, and animosity among people. Betrayal shatters relationships, breaks hearts, and creates a culture of dishonesty and unfaithfulness.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of upholding the values of Islam in our daily lives. We must strive to maintain our chastity, both in our thoughts and actions, and avoid any form of immorality. We should be trustworthy individuals, fulfilling our promises and commitments, and never betraying the trust placed upon us. By doing so, we contribute to the preservation of our faith, the unity of our community, and the strength of our relationships.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to follow the teachings of Islam and protect us from the disgrace of lewdness, treachery, and betrayal. Ameen.