Hadith #1971

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 our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ جَهِلَ مَوْضِعَ قَدَمِهِ زَلَّ۔

This can be translated as,

One who does not know where he is placing his foot, trips.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of knowledge and awareness in our actions and decisions.

Let us delve into the words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (mawdi'a) "مَوْضِعَ" refers to the place or position, while (qadamih) "قَدَمِهِ" means his foot. The word (zalla) "زَلَّ" signifies tripping or stumbling. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is metaphorically emphasizing the significance of being aware of our actions and their consequences.

To further comprehend the wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29),

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse highlights the importance of fearing Allah and seeking His guidance. When we are conscious of our actions and seek His guidance, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) will grant us the ability to discern right from wrong, preventing us from stumbling in our journey towards Him.

Another Quranic verse that complements the message 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 seeking knowledge and verifying information before taking any action. It warns against acting out of ignorance, which can lead to harm and regret. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes this sentiment by reminding us to be aware of our steps, both literally and metaphorically, to avoid stumbling and making mistakes due to ignorance.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, which is evident in this Hadith. His emphasis on the importance of knowledge and awareness serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek knowledge, understand the consequences of their actions, and make informed decisions. By doing so, we can avoid stumbling in our spiritual, personal, and social lives.

This Hadith also has broader implications beyond individual actions. It encourages Muslims to be mindful of the consequences of their choices on a societal level. By being aware of the impact of our decisions, we can contribute to the betterment of our communities and avoid causing harm unintentionally.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of knowledge and awareness in our actions and decisions. It urges us to be conscious of where we place our feet, both literally and metaphorically, to avoid stumbling and making mistakes. By seeking knowledge, understanding the consequences of our actions, and being mindful of the guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we can navigate our lives with wisdom and avoid the pitfalls of ignorance. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be mindful and make informed choices, and may He bless us with His guidance and forgiveness.