Hadith #4982

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Verily if you do wrong [to others] then you are only debasing and harming yourself.

This impactful Hadith emphasizes the consequences of committing wrong actions and the negative impact it has on one's own self.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith. The word (as'ata) "أسَأتَ" is derived from the root word (sa'a) "سَء" which means to do evil, wrong, or harm. It refers to any action that goes against the principles of righteousness and justice. The word (tamti'hinu) "تَمْتَهِنُ" is derived from the root word (matahan) "مَتَاهَنَ" which means to degrade, humiliate, or lower oneself. It signifies the negative consequences that arise from engaging in wrongful behavior. The word (taghbinu) "تَغْبِنُ" is derived from the root word (ghabana) "غَبَنَ" which means to deceive or cheat. It highlights the self-deception that occurs when one engages in wrongdoing, as they may falsely believe that they are benefiting themselves while in reality, they are causing harm.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 120:

And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, 'Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance.' If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper.

This verse highlights the importance of following the guidance of Allah and not succumbing to the desires and opinions of others. It reminds us that true guidance lies in adhering to the teachings of Islam and not compromising our principles for the sake of pleasing others.

Another relevant verse is found in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 11:

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with respect and refraining from engaging in harmful behavior such as ridicule and insults. It reminds us that engaging in such actions not only harms others but also tarnishes our own character and faith.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can understand that committing wrong actions not only harms those around us but also has a detrimental effect on our own souls. When we engage in wrongdoing, we lower ourselves morally and spiritually. We deceive ourselves into thinking that we are benefiting or gaining an advantage, but in reality, we are only causing harm to our own selves.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the importance of righteousness and justice. He teaches us that our actions have consequences, and by engaging in wrongdoing, we are only debasing and harming ourselves. This Hadith serves as a powerful reminder to Muslims of all backgrounds to strive for righteousness, to treat others with kindness and respect, and to avoid actions that bring harm to ourselves and others.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and protect us from engaging in wrongful actions. May we always seek knowledge and wisdom from the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).