Hadith #10514

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Whoever scrutinizes himself remains safe from the scrutiny of others.

This enlightening saying emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-accountability in the life of a Muslim. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (istiqsaa) "استقصى", which means to scrutinize, examine, or investigate. It implies a deep introspection and evaluation of one's own actions, intentions, and character. By engaging in this self-scrutiny, an individual becomes aware of their flaws, weaknesses, and areas in need of improvement. This self-awareness leads to personal growth, purification, and protection from the judgment and criticism of others.

The Quran provides guidance on the importance of self-reflection and self-accountability. In Surah Al-Hashr (59:18), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse emphasizes the need for individuals to examine their own actions and intentions, and to be conscious of the consequences of their choices in the Hereafter.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Taghabun (64:14), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse highlights the importance of self-reflection in the context of interpersonal relationships. It encourages believers to be mindful of their own faults and to forgive and overlook the mistakes of others, thereby fostering harmony and unity within the community.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder that by scrutinizing ourselves, we become more self-aware and take responsibility for our own actions. This self-accountability leads to personal growth and protection from the judgment and scrutiny of others. When we are constantly examining our own behavior, intentions, and character, we become less inclined to judge and criticize others. Instead, we develop empathy, compassion, and understanding towards our fellow Muslims.

Moreover, self-scrutiny enables us to identify our own flaws and weaknesses, which motivates us to strive for self-improvement. It allows us to rectify our mistakes, seek forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and make amends with those we may have wronged. By doing so, we not only purify our own souls but also contribute to the betterment of the Muslim community as a whole.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of self-reflection and self-accountability. By scrutinizing ourselves, we become aware of our own faults, weaknesses, and areas in need of improvement. This self-awareness leads to personal growth, purification, and protection from the judgment and scrutiny of others. Let us strive to engage in regular self-scrutiny, seeking Allah's forgiveness and working towards becoming better Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to constantly examine ourselves and purify our hearts.