Hadith #11045

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he imparts a valuable lesson about the different ways people respond to admonition. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by stating,

Never be one of those who do not benefit from admonition unless you give him a painful punishment.

Here, the Imam is emphasizing the importance of being receptive to advice and guidance. He highlights that there are individuals who are resistant to admonition and require a more severe form of correction to grasp the intended lesson.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. The word (maw'izah) "مَوْعِظَةُ" refers to admonition or counsel, while (i'lamih) "إيلامِهِ" means to make someone aware or inform them. The term (al-'aqil) "العاقِلَ" refers to the intelligent or wise person, and (al-bahaima) "البَهائِمَ" refers to animals or beasts.

To support the teachings of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:176),

And if We had willed, We could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.

This verse illustrates the behavior of those who are stubborn and refuse to heed admonition. They persist in their own desires, just like a dog that remains panting regardless of whether it is chased or left alone.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of admonition is found in Surah Al-Qamar (54:17), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?

This verse highlights the importance of being receptive to the Quran, which is the ultimate source of guidance and admonition. It emphasizes the need for individuals to reflect upon its teachings and apply them in their lives.

Now, let us reflect on the profound wisdom contained within Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) words. He states,

For indeed the intelligent one takes admonishment from discipline whereas beasts are not deterred except by beating.

Here, the Imam draws a stark contrast between the wise and the foolish. The intelligent person is open to admonition and learns from discipline. They recognize the value of guidance and willingly accept correction to improve themselves. On the other hand, beasts, lacking intellect, can only be deterred through physical punishment.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) words serve as a reminder for Muslims to be receptive to admonition and guidance. It is crucial to cultivate a mindset of humility and openness, recognizing that there is always room for improvement. We should not be like those who stubbornly resist advice, requiring harsher forms of correction to understand the lesson at hand. Instead, we should strive to be like the intelligent ones who willingly accept discipline and admonition, seeking to better ourselves in the process.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be receptive to admonition and guidance. It highlights the importance of being open to correction and willingly accepting discipline in order to grow and improve. By reflecting on the teachings of the Quran and the wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can strive to embody the qualities of the intelligent ones who learn from admonition and avoid the behavior of beasts who require harsher forms of correction. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and humility to benefit from admonition and guidance.