Hadith #9544

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

قَلَّما يُنْصِفُ اللِّسانُ في نَشْرِ قَبيح أوْ إحْسان۔

This can be translated as,

It is very rare for the tongue to remain fair in spreading [news about] the ugly and the good acts [of others].

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (qalama) "قَلَّما" in the Hadith signifies rarity or infrequency. It emphasizes the rarity of a fair tongue, one that remains just and unbiased when spreading news about both the ugly and the good acts of others. The word (yunsifu) "يُنْصِفُ" means to be fair, just, or impartial. It highlights the importance of maintaining fairness and justice in our speech.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands us to be just and fair in our dealings with others. In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:8), Allah says,

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.

This verse emphasizes the importance of upholding justice, even if it goes against our own interests or the interests of our loved ones.

Furthermore, the Quran warns against spreading false or harmful information. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah 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 reminds us to verify the information we receive before spreading it, to avoid causing harm or regretting our actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the rarity of finding individuals who can maintain fairness and justice in their speech, especially when it comes to spreading news about others. It is easy for our tongues to be swayed by personal biases, leading us to either exaggerate the good acts of some or magnify the flaws of others. This can lead to the spread of misinformation, slander, and the tarnishing of reputations.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words serve as a reminder for us to be cautious with our speech. We should strive to emulate his example and be mindful of the consequences of our words.

By being fair and just in our speech, we can foster an environment of trust, respect, and unity among Muslims. We should aim to promote the good acts of others and refrain from spreading news that may harm their reputation. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which encourages us to promote righteousness and discourage evil.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the rarity of finding individuals with a fair tongue, one that remains just and unbiased in spreading news about others. It emphasizes the importance of upholding justice and fairness in our speech, as commanded by Allah in the Quran. By being mindful of our words and striving to promote the good acts of others, we can contribute to a harmonious and united Muslim community. May Allah guide us in our speech and grant us the ability to be just and fair in all our dealings.