Hadith #6851

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,

مِنَ العِصْمَةِ تَعَذُّرُ المَعاصي۔

This can be translated as,

Being unable to sin is [also] a form of preservation [against sin].

In this thought-provoking Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the concept of 'عِصْمَة' (ismah), which refers to the state of being protected from sin and error.

To understand the depth and significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (ta'azzur) "تَعَذُّرُ" means "inability" or "incapacity." It implies the absence of the ability or power to commit a sin. The word (ma'asi) "مَعاصي" refers to sins or acts of disobedience.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:143), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the incident of Prophet Musa (Moses) (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his encounter with Allah on Mount Sinai. When Musa requested to see Allah, Allah responded,

You will not be able to bear My sight.

This verse highlights the concept of 'تَعَذُّرُ' (inability) in the context of the human capacity to comprehend the full glory of Allah.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah says,

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse emphasizes the concept of 'تَعَذُّرُ' (inability) in the context of human limitations and the divine mercy of Allah. It affirms that Allah does not impose upon us burdens that are beyond our capacity to handle.

Now, let us reflect on the beautiful message conveyed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith. He is highlighting the fact that one of the forms of protection against sin is the inability or incapacity to commit sins. This incapacity can arise from various factors such as strong faith, deep knowledge, and a purified heart.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed an unparalleled level of knowledge and understanding of Islam. His deep insight and wisdom allowed him to attain a state of 'عِصْمَة' (ismah), where he was protected from committing sins. His knowledge served as a shield against the temptations and desires that lead to disobedience.

This Hadith reminds us of the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding our religion. By increasing our knowledge and strengthening our faith, we can develop a higher level of consciousness and awareness that acts as a barrier against sin. When we have a deep understanding of the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), we become more inclined towards righteousness and less susceptible to falling into sinful actions.

Moreover, this Hadith also highlights the significance of self-discipline and self-control. When we train ourselves to resist temptations and desires, we cultivate a sense of 'تَعَذُّرُ' (inability) to engage in sinful behavior. This self-restraint is a manifestation of our commitment to righteousness and our determination to preserve our souls from the destructive consequences of sin.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that being unable to sin is a form of preservation against sin. It emphasizes the importance of knowledge, faith, and self-discipline in attaining a state of 'عِصْمَة' (ismah). By seeking knowledge, strengthening our faith, and cultivating self-control, we can develop a higher level of consciousness that protects us from falling into sinful actions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to preserve ourselves from sin and guide us on the path of righteousness.