Hadith #8485

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The true scholar is one who neither makes people lose hope in the mercy of Allah nor cause them to despair of the comfort of Allah.

This beautiful saying emphasizes the qualities and responsibilities of a true scholar in Islam.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith. The word (faqih) "فَقِيهُ" refers to a scholar who possesses deep understanding and knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence. The word (qannit) "قَنِّطِ" means to make someone lose hope or despair. The word (rahmah) "رَحْمَةِ" refers to the mercy of Allah, and the word (ruh) "رَوْحِ" refers to the comfort or solace provided by Allah.

To understand the exegesis of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes His mercy and comfort throughout the Quran. For example, in Surah Az-Zumar (39:53), Allah says,

Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'

This verse highlights the importance of not causing people to lose hope in the mercy of Allah. A true scholar should always remind Muslims of Allah's boundless mercy and encourage them to seek His forgiveness, regardless of the magnitude of their sins. By doing so, the scholar instills hope and optimism in the hearts of believers, motivating them to turn back to Allah and seek His forgiveness.

Furthermore, in Surah Yunus (10:62-63), Allah says,

No doubt! Verily, the Awliya' of Allah [i.e., those who believe in the Oneness of Allah and fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve. Those who believed and were fearing Allah.

These verses emphasize the comfort and solace provided by Allah to those who believe in Him and fear Him. A true scholar should not cause people to despair of this comfort. Instead, they should remind Muslims of the immense rewards and blessings that await them in this world and the Hereafter when they sincerely worship and obey Allah.

The consequences of a scholar who makes people lose hope in Allah's mercy or despair of His comfort can be detrimental. It can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair among the believers, causing them to distance themselves from Allah and His religion. This can result in a weakened faith, lack of motivation to perform good deeds, and a loss of connection with the Divine.

On the other hand, a true scholar who understands the importance of balancing hope and fear, mercy and justice, provides guidance and reassurance to the Muslim community. They inspire believers to strive for righteousness, reminding them that Allah's mercy is vast and His comfort is always available to those who seek it. This motivates individuals to remain steadfast in their faith, seek knowledge, and engage in acts of worship and service to humanity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the qualities of a true scholar in Islam. Such a scholar neither makes people lose hope in the mercy of Allah nor causes them to despair of His comfort. By reminding Muslims of Allah's mercy and providing reassurance, a true scholar plays a crucial role in nurturing the faith and spirituality of the Muslim community. May Allah guide us all to be true scholars who inspire hope and optimism in the hearts of believers.