Hadith #5945

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the danger of misusing and misinterpreting the verses of the Quran. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) compares this deviation to a bronze dirham that is adorned with a coat of silver, giving the appearance of value and authenticity. However, just as the silver coating on the dirham does not change its inherent worth, the embellished verse does not alter the true meaning and intent of the Quran.

Let us delve deeper into the words used in this Hadith. The term (deviation) "ضَلالَة" refers to straying from the right path or being led astray. It implies a departure from the truth and righteousness. (embellished) "زُخْرِفَتْ" means to adorn or decorate something, making it more appealing or attractive. (verse) "آيَة" signifies a sign or a miracle from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). (Book of Allah) "كِتَابِ اللَّهِ" refers to the Quran, the divine scripture revealed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we must turn to the Quran itself. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Imran, verse 7:

He it is Who has revealed to you the Book; some of its verses are decisive, they are the basis of the Book, and others are allegorical; then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation.

This verse emphasizes the existence of both decisive and allegorical verses in the Quran. The decisive verses are clear and unambiguous, serving as the foundation of the Book. On the other hand, the allegorical verses require deeper reflection and interpretation. However, those with perversity in their hearts may exploit these allegorical verses to mislead others and distort the true message of the Quran.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 79, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the consequences of misusing the verses of the Quran:

So woe to those who write the

scripture

with their own hands, then say,

This is from Allah,

in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.

This verse highlights the grave sin of attributing false statements to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and manipulating the scripture for personal gain or to mislead others. It serves as a reminder that distorting the words of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is a serious offense with severe consequences.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to approach the Quran with humility, seeking guidance from scholars who possess deep knowledge and understanding. It cautions against blindly accepting interpretations that may be embellished or distorted to suit personal agendas.

The consequences of following such deviations can be detrimental to both individuals and the Muslim community as a whole. It can lead to misunderstandings, divisions, and the propagation of false beliefs. Therefore, it is crucial for Muslims to approach the Quran with sincerity, seeking guidance from authentic sources and scholars who possess a deep understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of misinterpretations and distortions of the Quran. It urges us to seek knowledge from reliable sources and to approach the Quran with humility and sincerity. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from falling into the traps of deviation and ensure that we are truly following the guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) as revealed in His Book. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the straight path and protect us from the dangers of misinterpretation.