Hadith #6311

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "ظَنُّ المُؤْمِنِ كِهانَةٌ۔" This can be translated into English as,

The surmise of a believer is a divination.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith in light of the Quran.

First, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. The word (zann) "ظَنُّ" refers to surmise or conjecture, which is the act of forming an opinion or belief without sufficient evidence. (al-mu'min) "المُؤْمِنِ" means a believer, one who has faith in Allah and His Messenger. And (kihanah) "كِهانَةٌ" refers to divination, which is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means.

To comprehend the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12),

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding negative assumptions and conjectures. It warns against the sin of forming baseless opinions about others, as it can lead to backbiting and harm. A believer should strive to have a positive and righteous mindset, refraining from jumping to conclusions without evidence.

Another verse that sheds light on the significance of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of verifying information before accepting it as truth. It encourages believers to investigate and seek evidence before forming judgments or taking any action. It warns against the consequences of acting upon false assumptions, which can lead to harm and regret.

Now, let us reflect on the wise utterance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses. The Hadith teaches us that a believer should not indulge in baseless assumptions or conjectures. Just as divination is a futile and forbidden practice, forming opinions without sufficient evidence is also discouraged in Islam.

When a believer engages in surmise without proper knowledge or evidence, it can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and harm. It goes against the principles of justice, fairness, and compassion that Islam promotes. Therefore, a true believer should strive to acquire knowledge, seek evidence, and refrain from making judgments based on mere assumptions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound wisdom and knowledge, reminds us of the importance of having a righteous mindset. He encourages us to seek truth, verify information, and avoid jumping to conclusions. By doing so, we can foster unity, understanding, and harmony within the Muslim community and beyond.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of avoiding baseless assumptions and conjectures. It reminds us to seek knowledge, verify information, and refrain from forming judgments without sufficient evidence. By following this guidance, we can cultivate a mindset of righteousness, justice, and compassion, leading to a more harmonious and united Muslim community. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the path of truth and wisdom.