Hadith #10685

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with a deep insight into the nature of people and their inherent flaws. He states that all individuals are deficient and flawed, except for those whom Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protects. This protection is a divine safeguard that shields certain individuals from the inherent flaws and imperfections that are present in human nature.

The Imam further explains that among these flawed individuals, there are two distinct types: the questioner and the answerer. The questioner aims to embarrass and confuse others through their inquiries, seeking to undermine their knowledge and authority. On the other hand, the answerer creates trouble by providing misleading or incorrect answers, causing confusion and discord among the people.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then highlights the fragility of human opinions and the susceptibility of even the most knowledgeable individuals to be swayed by their desires and emotions. He states that it does not take long for the one who holds the best views among them to be influenced by pleasure or displeasure, leading them to abandon their sound judgment and compromise their principles.

Furthermore, the Imam emphasizes the vulnerability of the strongest-willed individuals, who can be easily affected by a single glance or transformed by a single expression. This highlights the power of external influences and the potential for even the most resolute individuals to be swayed by the opinions and actions of others.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this hadith, we can turn to the Quran for further guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of the inherent flaws and weaknesses of human beings. In Surah Al-Isra, verse 67, Allah says,

And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], 'Am I not your Lord?' They said, 'Yes, we have testified.' [This] - lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, 'Indeed, we were of this unaware.'

This verse highlights the initial covenant between Allah and humanity, where every individual testified to the existence and lordship of Allah. However, despite this inherent knowledge and connection to the divine, human beings are prone to forgetfulness and deviation. This forgetfulness leads to the flaws and deficiencies mentioned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the hadith.

Another verse that supports the understanding of this hadith is found in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 53, where Allah says,

That is because Allah would not change a favor which He had bestowed upon a people until they change what is within themselves. And indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

This verse highlights the concept of divine protection and favor, which is conditional upon the actions and intentions of individuals. If people deviate from righteousness and change what is within themselves, they risk losing the divine protection and guidance.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder of the inherent flaws and weaknesses present in human nature. It highlights the importance of seeking divine protection and guidance to overcome these deficiencies. It also emphasizes the need for individuals to be cautious of their own intentions and actions, as well as the influence they can have on others. By reflecting on this hadith and seeking to align our thoughts and actions with the guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we can strive to overcome our inherent flaws and become better individuals, seeking the pleasure of Allah above all else.