Hadith #11276

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

مَنِ اسْتَهْدَى الغاوِيَ عَمِيَ عَنْ نَهْجِ الهُدى۔

This can be translated as:

One who seeks guidance from the misguided becomes blinded to the course of true guidance.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (istahda) "استهدى" means to seek guidance or to ask for advice. The term (al-ghawi) "الغاوِي" refers to someone who is misguided or deviated from the right path. And the word (nahj al-huda) "نَهْجِ الهُدى" signifies the course or path of true guidance.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:116):

And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying.

This verse emphasizes the danger of blindly following the majority without discernment. It warns us that if we seek guidance from those who are themselves misguided, we will be led astray from the path of true guidance. This aligns perfectly with the message of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the Hadith.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Furqan (25:43), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

Have you seen the one who takes his own desire as his god? Then would you be responsible for him?

This verse highlights the danger of following one's own desires instead of seeking guidance from Allah. When we seek guidance from those who are themselves misguided, we are essentially following their desires and opinions rather than the divine guidance provided by Allah. This leads to spiritual blindness and deviation from the true path.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for us to be cautious in seeking guidance. We must ensure that we seek guidance from those who are knowledgeable, righteous, and firmly grounded in the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By doing so, we protect ourselves from being led astray and remain on the path of true guidance.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of critical thinking and independent reasoning in matters of faith. Muslims should not blindly follow anyone, but rather analyze and evaluate the guidance they receive in light of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his progeny. This is the essence of true guidance and the key to avoiding spiritual blindness.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be cautious in seeking guidance. We must be vigilant in ensuring that the sources of our guidance are rooted in the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By doing so, we protect ourselves from being led astray and remain on the path of true guidance. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern the true path and the strength to follow it.