Hadith #6447

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of being mindful of one's words and actions. He states that he is bound by responsibility for what he says and will be held accountable for it. This highlights the weight and significance of our speech and the need to be cautious and responsible in our communication.

The Imam further explains that those who are well-informed about the past and the exemplary punishments that were inflicted upon wrongdoers are protected by their God-wariness from engaging in doubtful and questionable actions. This implies that having knowledge and understanding of the consequences of certain actions serves as a deterrent and helps us make better choices.

This hadith reminds us of the Quranic teachings that emphasize the importance of guarding our tongues and being mindful of our words. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Qalam (68:10-11):

Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two-thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This ayah highlights the importance of reciting the Quran and fulfilling our religious obligations to the best of our abilities. It also emphasizes the need to seek forgiveness from Allah, as we are prone to making mistakes and falling into doubtful actions. By seeking forgiveness and turning to Allah, we can protect ourselves from the pitfalls of doubtful actions.

Another verse that supports the message of this hadith is found in Surah Al-Hujurat (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 encourages us to verify information before accepting and acting upon it. It warns against spreading false or misleading information that may harm others. By being cautious and responsible in our speech, we can avoid falling into dubious actions and prevent any potential harm that may arise from spreading misinformation.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound statement in this hadith serves as a reminder for all Muslims to be mindful of their words and actions. It highlights the importance of seeking knowledge, understanding the consequences of our actions, and being cautious in our communication. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from falling into doubtful and questionable actions and strive to lead a righteous and God-conscious life. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the wisdom to speak and act responsibly.