Hadith #5346

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

اَلشَّكُّ يُطْفِيُ نُورَ القَلْبِ۔

This Hadith can be translated into English as:

Doubt puts out the light of the heart.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (shakk) "شَّكُّ" refers to doubt or uncertainty. It is a state of hesitation or lack of conviction. The word (yutfi) "يُطْفِيُ" means to extinguish or put out. And the word (noor al-qalb) "نُورَ القَلْبِ" refers to the light of the heart.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find support for the exegesis of this Hadith. In Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says: (49:6)

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 investigating before forming judgments. Doubt, on the other hand, prevents us from seeking knowledge and understanding. It clouds our judgment and prevents us from seeing the truth clearly. It extinguishes the light of the heart, which is the source of guidance and clarity.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Baqarah, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says: (2:257)

Allah is the ally of those who believe. He brings them out from darknesses into the light.

This verse highlights the contrast between darkness and light. Doubt is a form of darkness that obscures the light of guidance. When we allow doubt to take hold of our hearts, we are distancing ourselves from the light of Allah's guidance. On the other hand, when we have firm faith and certainty, our hearts are illuminated with the light of guidance.

Now, let us delve deeper into the essence of this Hadith. Doubt not only extinguishes the light of the heart, but it also has far-reaching consequences. When we are plagued by doubt, we become indecisive and hesitant. We are unable to make firm choices or take decisive actions. This can lead to missed opportunities and a lack of progress in our personal and spiritual lives.

Furthermore, doubt can also lead to a weakened relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we doubt His existence, His mercy, or His ability to guide us, we are essentially questioning His power and wisdom. This weakens our connection with Him and prevents us from fully experiencing His love and guidance.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the importance of seeking certainty and avoiding doubt. He encourages us to nurture the light of faith in our hearts and to constantly seek knowledge and understanding. By doing so, we can overcome doubt and strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that doubt puts out the light of the heart. It prevents us from seeking knowledge, clouds our judgment, and weakens our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). As Muslims, it is our duty to strive for certainty and to constantly seek knowledge and understanding in order to keep the light of faith burning brightly in our hearts. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of certainty and grant us the strength to overcome doubt.