Hadith #10562

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous successors.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

ما أغَشَّ نَفْسَهُ مَنْ يَنْصَحُ غَيْرَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who sincerely advises others does not deceive himself.

In this beautiful saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of offering sincere advice to others and how it reflects upon one's own self.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith. The word (aghsha) "أغَشَّ" means to deceive, cheat, or trick. It implies an act of misleading or causing someone to fall into error. (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ" refers to oneself, indicating that the person who deceives others is ultimately deceiving themselves. (yansahu) "يَنْصَحُ" means to sincerely advise or counsel someone with good intentions, seeking their betterment.

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:3),

Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the importance of advising one another towards truth and patience. It highlights that sincere advice is a characteristic of those who possess faith and perform righteous deeds.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

This verse emphasizes the unity and brotherhood among believers and encourages them to settle disputes and conflicts among themselves. Advising one another sincerely is an essential aspect of maintaining harmony and resolving conflicts within the Muslim community.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the profound consequences of sincere advice. When we sincerely advise others, we are not only guiding them towards the right path but also protecting ourselves from falling into deception. By offering sincere advice, we are fulfilling our duty as Muslims to enjoin good and forbid evil, as commanded by Allah in the Quran.

Sincere advice has far-reaching effects. It can motivate individuals to rectify their actions, correct their behavior, and seek improvement. It can prevent them from making harmful decisions or engaging in sinful acts. Moreover, sincere advice fosters a culture of trust, compassion, and support within the Muslim community. It strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, allowing individuals to grow and thrive together.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of self-reflection and introspection. It prompts us to evaluate our own intentions and actions when offering advice to others. Are we truly sincere in our counsel, or do we have ulterior motives? Are we seeking the betterment of others, or are we merely trying to assert our superiority? By constantly examining our intentions, we can ensure that our advice remains pure and beneficial.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that sincere advice is not only beneficial to others but also a means of self-purification. It reminds us to be mindful of our intentions and to offer advice with sincerity and good intentions. By doing so, we not only guide others towards righteousness but also protect ourselves from falling into deception. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to sincerely advise one another and seek His pleasure.