Hadith #4197

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) serves as a profound reminder to Muslims about the significance of not underestimating the gravity of small sins. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, imparts this advice to emphasize the destructive nature of sins, regardless of their size.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (sagha'ir) "صَغَائِرَ" refers to small sins, while (al-atham) "الآثامِ" refers to sins in general. The word (mubiqat) "مُوبِقاتُ" means dangerous or destructive, and (muhaqqaratuhu) "مُحَقَّراتُهُ" refers to sins that are belittled or considered insignificant.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:33),

Say, 'My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.'

This verse highlights the prohibition of sins, both major and minor. It emphasizes that Allah has forbidden all forms of immorality and sin, regardless of their visibility or concealment. Thus, it is crucial for Muslims to understand that even seemingly small sins should not be belittled or taken lightly.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Zumar (39:53), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'

This verse reminds us that Allah's mercy encompasses all sins, regardless of their magnitude. However, it does not negate the fact that sins, even small ones, have consequences. The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a cautionary reminder that continuously engaging in small sins can lead to their accumulation, ultimately leading to destruction.

To illustrate this point, let us consider an example. Imagine a person who consistently lies about small matters, thinking that they are insignificant. Over time, this habit of lying becomes deeply ingrained, and the person may find it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood. This can lead to severe consequences, such as damaged relationships, loss of trust, and a tarnished reputation.

The motivation behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice is to protect Muslims from the gradual erosion of their moral character. By highlighting the dangers of belittling sins, he urges us to be vigilant and mindful of our actions, regardless of their size. This awareness helps us maintain a strong moral compass and prevents us from falling into the trap of continuously committing sins, no matter how small they may seem.

The consequences of disregarding this advice can be dire. If one becomes surrounded by their belittled sins, it becomes increasingly challenging to break free from their grip. The accumulation of these sins can lead to spiritual and moral decay, distancing us from the path of righteousness and ultimately leading to our destruction.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder to Muslims about the dangers of underestimating the gravity of small sins. It urges us to be mindful of our actions and to seek forgiveness for all our sins, regardless of their size. By heeding this advice, we can protect ourselves from the destructive consequences of continuously engaging in belittled sins. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the strength to avoid all sins, big or small.