Hadith #8727

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.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides a comprehensive description of a person whom he dispraises. Let us delve into the meanings of the important words used in this hadith and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The first word to highlight is (asha) "عاش", which means to live or exist. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes the person as (rakkabu 'ashawat) "رَكَّابُ عَشَوَات", which can be translated as

a dim-sighted person who frequently embarks on obscurities.

This implies that the individual lacks clarity and insight, and often engages in matters that are unclear or confusing.

The next word is (jahil) "جاهِل", meaning ignorant. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes the person as (rakkabu jahalat) "رَكَّابُ جَهَالَات", which can be translated as

an ignorant person who frequently embarks on unintelligent arguments.

This highlights the individual's lack of knowledge and understanding, as well as their tendency to engage in futile and baseless arguments.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further describes the person as (aad 'ala nafsihi) "عَادَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ", meaning

an aggressor against his own soul.

This indicates that the individual acts against their own best interests, harming themselves spiritually and morally.

The Imam then states that the person is (muzayyinun laha suluka al-muhalat)

مُزَيِّنٌ لَهَا سُلُوكَ ٱلْمُحَالَاتِ

which can be translated as

an embellisher of traversing the path of the impossible.

This implies that the individual indulges in actions or beliefs that are irrational, illogical, or contrary to the teachings of Islam.

Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes the person as (batila al-turahat) "بَاطِلَ ٱلتُّرَّهَاتِ", meaning "vain trivialities." This signifies that the individual engages in meaningless and futile pursuits, wasting their time and energy on matters that hold no real value or benefit.

To understand the essence of this hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of knowledge, wisdom, and guidance in the Quran. For example, in Surah Al-Zumar (39:9), Allah says,

Are those who know equal to those who do not know?

This verse highlights the distinction between those who possess knowledge and those who are ignorant.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah warns against spreading rumors and engaging in baseless arguments, saying,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge, verifying information, and avoiding engaging in unintelligent arguments.

In Surah Al-An'am (6:32), Allah reminds us of the consequences of our actions, saying,

And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah, so will you not reason?

This verse serves as a reminder that indulging in vain trivialities and pursuing the impossible will only distract us from the true purpose of life and the rewards of the Hereafter.

Reflecting on this hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is cautioning us against ignorance, baseless arguments, and indulging in meaningless pursuits. He reminds us to seek knowledge, engage in rational discourse, and focus on actions that bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By doing so, we can avoid harming ourselves spiritually and morally, and instead strive for a meaningful and purposeful life.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek knowledge, the insight to distinguish truth from falsehood, and the strength to avoid engaging in futile pursuits. May we always strive to follow the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and may He bless us with success in this life and the Hereafter.