Hadith #4217

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he emphasizes the importance of caution and striving for knowledge. Let us delve into the deeper meanings of the words used in this hadith.

The word (hathara) "حَذَرَ" is derived from the root word (hathara) "حَذَرَ", which means to be cautious, to take heed, and to be aware of potential dangers or pitfalls. It implies being vigilant and mindful of one's actions and surroundings. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) repeats this word twice to emphasize the urgency and importance of caution.

The word (jidda) "جِدَّ" is derived from the root word (jadda) "جَدَّ", which means to strive, to exert effort, and to be diligent. It signifies the need for continuous and dedicated effort in seeking knowledge and understanding. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to be persistent and steadfast in our pursuit of knowledge.

The phrase (mithlu khabir) "مِثْلُ خَبِيرٍ" means

like the One who is all-aware.

It highlights the uniqueness and superiority of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in His knowledge. No one can inform or guide us like Allah, who possesses complete and perfect knowledge of everything. This phrase reminds us to turn to Allah as the ultimate source of knowledge and guidance.

To further understand the significance of this hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of caution and striving for knowledge in various verses.

In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah says,

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 emphasizes the importance of verifying information before accepting or acting upon it. It encourages us to be cautious and not to rely solely on hearsay or rumors.

In Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11), Allah says,

O you who have believed, when you are told, 'Make room in your gatherings,' then make room; Allah will make room for you. And when you are told, 'Arise,' then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse highlights the importance of striving and making space for others in gatherings. It also emphasizes the elevation of those who have believed and have been granted knowledge by Allah.

These verses, among others, emphasize the importance of caution and striving for knowledge in our daily lives. They remind us to be mindful of the information we receive and to seek knowledge from reliable and trustworthy sources. They also encourage us to be diligent in our pursuit of knowledge and to continuously strive for personal growth and development.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be cautious and diligent in seeking knowledge. It urges us to be mindful of the information we receive and to verify its authenticity before accepting or acting upon it. It also emphasizes the importance of continuously striving for knowledge and seeking guidance from Allah, who possesses perfect knowledge.

By heeding Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice, Muslims can protect themselves from misinformation, make informed decisions, and grow in their understanding of Islam. May Allah grant us the wisdom and guidance to be cautious and diligent in our pursuit of knowledge, and may He bless us with the ability to discern truth from falsehood.