Hadith #2610

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

بِالعُدُولِ عَنِ الحَقِّ تَكُونُ الضَّلالَةُ۔

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the relationship between turning away from the truth and the occurrence of misguidance.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. (al-'udul) "العُدُولِ" refers to turning away or deviating from something. In this context, it signifies turning away from the truth. (al-haqq) "الحَقِّ" refers to the truth, which is an essential attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encompasses the truthfulness of His words, His existence, His attributes, and His guidance. (ad-dalalah) "الضَّلالَةُ" refers to misguidance, which is the opposite of guidance and leads one astray from the right path.

To gain a deeper understanding of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Yunus (10:32),

So is He who guides to the truth more worthy to be followed or he who guides not unless he is guided? Then what is [wrong] with you - how do you judge?

This verse emphasizes the importance of following the one who guides to the truth. It highlights that those who do not guide others unless they themselves are guided are not worthy of being followed. Therefore, turning away from the truth leads to misguidance.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:50), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

But if they turn away - then We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], over them as a guardian; upon you is only [the duty of] notification. And indeed, when We let man taste mercy from us, he rejoices in it; but if evil afflicts him for what his hands have put forth, then indeed, man is ungrateful.

This verse highlights the consequences of turning away from the truth. When people turn away from the guidance of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the truth, they are left to face the consequences of their own actions. They lose the protection and guidance that comes with following the truth.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the gate to the city of knowledge, understood the importance of adhering to the truth. He recognized that turning away from the truth leads to misguidance. When individuals deviate from the path of truth, they open themselves up to falsehood, confusion, and error. This deviation can occur in various aspects of life, including religious beliefs, moral values, and personal conduct.

The consequences of turning away from the truth are far-reaching. It can lead to a distorted understanding of religion, causing individuals to follow misguided ideologies and practices. It can also result in moral decay, as people lose sight of the ethical principles and values that are rooted in the truth. Moreover, turning away from the truth can have detrimental effects on one's personal and spiritual growth, hindering their journey towards attaining closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are reminded of the importance of seeking and adhering to the truth in all aspects of life. It serves as a warning against the dangers of deviating from the path of righteousness and emphasizes the need to constantly seek knowledge, guidance, and understanding from authentic sources. By staying firmly rooted in the truth, Muslims can protect themselves from the pitfalls of misguidance and ensure that their actions and beliefs align with the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that misguidance arises from turning away from the truth. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to always seek the truth, adhere to it, and be cautious of the consequences of deviating from it. By following the guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), we can safeguard ourselves from misguidance and strive towards attaining success in this world and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to recognize and adhere to the truth, and protect us from the perils of misguidance.