Hadith #10224

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May 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,

مَنْ عَصى نَصِيحَهُ نَصَرَ ضِدَّهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who disobeys his sincere adviser has assisted his adversary.

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (nasīhah) "نَصِيحَهُ" in this Hadith refers to sincere advice or counsel. It is derived from the root word (nasaha) "نَصَحَ", which means to advise or counsel someone with sincerity and purity of intention. In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of sincere advice in Surah Al-Asr, where He says, (Quran 103:1-3)

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

The word (ʿasā) "عَصَى" in the Hadith means to disobey or go against the advice given. It signifies an act of defiance or rebellion against the sincere counsel that has been offered. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against disobedience in numerous verses of the Quran, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah, where He says, (Quran 2:11-12)

And when it is said to them, 'Do not cause corruption on the earth,' they say, 'We are but reformers.' Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive it not.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith highlights the consequences of disregarding sincere advice. It states that by disobeying the sincere adviser, one inadvertently assists their adversary. This means that when a person rejects or ignores the well-intentioned counsel of someone who genuinely wants their betterment, they open themselves up to the influence and manipulation of those who may have ill intentions towards them.

This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against following the footsteps of Satan and his allies. In Surah Al-A'raf, Allah says, (Quran 7:27)

O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe.

By rejecting sincere advice, one becomes vulnerable to the influence of those who may lead them astray. This can have severe consequences in both worldly and spiritual matters. Just as Satan deceived Adam and Eve, those who disregard sincere counsel may find themselves aiding their adversaries and falling into the traps set by those who wish to harm them.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can understand the importance of seeking and accepting sincere advice from those who genuinely care for our well-being. It serves as a reminder to be humble, open-minded, and receptive to guidance. By doing so, we protect ourselves from the snares of those who may seek to exploit our vulnerabilities and lead us astray.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the significance of heeding sincere advice and the consequences of disregarding it. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant in seeking guidance and to be cautious of those who may try to mislead them. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize and accept sincere counsel, and protect us from the influence of those who wish to harm us.