Hadith #11273

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

مَنِ اهْتَدى بِغَيْرِ هُدَى اللّهَ سُبْحانَهُ ضَلَّ۔

This can be translated as,

He who takes guidance from other than the guidance of Allah, the Glorified, has gone astray.

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and their implications. The word (ihtada) "اهْتَدَى" means to seek guidance, to follow the right path, or to be rightly guided. (ghayr) "غَيْرِ" refers to anything other than, or besides. (huda) "هُدَى" signifies guidance, specifically the guidance provided by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). And (dalla) "ضَلَّ" means to go astray or to be misguided.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from Him alone. In Surah Al-Fatiha (1:6-7), we recite,

Guide us to the Straight Path, the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

This verse highlights the significance of seeking Allah's guidance and not following the path of those who have gone astray.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:116), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against taking others as guides besides Him, saying,

And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that true guidance can only be attained by seeking it from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. It cautions against blindly following the opinions, ideologies, or teachings of individuals who claim to possess guidance but are not divinely guided.

When a person seeks guidance from sources other than Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), they are susceptible to being led astray. This can have severe consequences on their faith, actions, and overall spiritual well-being. By relying on human opinions, desires, or societal norms, one may deviate from the true path prescribed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

For example, if a Muslim seeks guidance on matters of faith, morality, or ethics from sources that contradict the teachings of the Quran, they risk falling into error. Similarly, if one follows the trends and ideologies of society without considering their compatibility with Islamic principles, they may unknowingly stray from the straight path.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to always refer back to the Quran and the authentic teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) for guidance. The knowledge and wisdom possessed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) make his words even more significant, as he was known for his deep understanding of the Quran and its teachings.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds Muslims of the importance of seeking guidance solely from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It warns against blindly following the opinions and ideologies of fallible human beings, as they may lead us astray from the path of righteousness. By relying on the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can ensure that our actions and beliefs align with the divine guidance, protecting us from straying into misguidance. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and understanding to seek His guidance and stay on the straight path.