Hadith #2157

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

آفَةُ الحَزْمِ فَوْتُ الأمْرِ۔

This phrase can be translated as,

The bane of judiciousness is losing the matter.

Let us delve into the meaning of this Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (afeh) "آفَةُ" in this Hadith refers to a harmful or destructive element. It signifies something that causes damage or detriment. The term (hazm) "الحَزْمِ" can be translated as judiciousness or decisiveness. It refers to the quality of making firm and resolute decisions. Finally, (fotu) "فَوْتُ" means losing or missing out on something.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:9),

And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse emphasizes the importance of resolving conflicts and disputes with justice. It highlights the significance of making fair and balanced decisions in order to establish peace and harmony among the believers. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith complements this Quranic teaching by cautioning against the harmful consequences of losing sight of judiciousness in matters of importance.

When we neglect the principle of judiciousness, we risk making hasty and ill-informed decisions that can have detrimental effects. This can lead to the loss of important matters, such as the opportunity to reconcile between disputing parties, the chance to establish justice, or the ability to maintain unity within the Muslim community.

For instance, imagine a situation where two factions among the believers are engaged in a dispute. If a person in a position of authority fails to exercise judiciousness and hastily takes sides without considering the evidence and seeking a fair resolution, they may end up exacerbating the conflict rather than resolving it. This can result in the loss of the opportunity to bring about peace and reconciliation.

Furthermore, the consequences of losing the matter due to the absence of judiciousness can extend beyond immediate conflicts. It can lead to a breakdown in trust, division among the believers, and a weakening of the overall unity of the Muslim community. This is why Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns against the bane of judiciousness, as it can have far-reaching negative effects.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to uphold the principle of judiciousness in all matters. It cautions against the harmful consequences of neglecting this important quality, emphasizing the need to make informed and fair decisions. By doing so, we can contribute to the establishment of justice, unity, and peace within the Muslim community, in accordance with the teachings of the Quran. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to act with judiciousness in all aspects of our lives.