Hadith #3466

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

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "المُزيعُ والخائِنُ سَواءٌ۔" This Hadith can be translated as,

The enticer [towards deviance] and the treacherous one are alike.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. The word (al-muzīʿ) "المُزيعُ" refers to someone who entices or leads others astray, particularly towards deviance or misguidance. This person uses deceptive tactics to lure others away from the path of righteousness. The word (al-khāʾin) "الخائِنُ" refers to a treacherous individual who betrays the trust placed in them. They deceive others by breaking their promises and acting against their interests.

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, we can refer to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the dangers of those who misguide others and betray their trust. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 9, Allah says,

They deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive it not.

This verse highlights that those who entice others towards deviance are ultimately deceiving themselves and will face the consequences of their actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran, verse 120, Allah says,

If a good comes to them, they say, 'This is from Allah'; but if a bad befalls them, they say, 'This is from you.' Say, 'All things are from Allah.'

This verse emphasizes that those who betray the trust placed in them by spreading falsehoods and misleading others are distorting the truth and attributing their actions to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). They fail to recognize that all things are ultimately under the control of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims about the dangers of falling into the traps of those who entice towards deviance and betray trust. Such individuals may present themselves as knowledgeable or influential, but their true intentions are to lead others astray and cause harm. It is crucial for Muslims to be vigilant and seek knowledge from authentic sources, relying on the guidance of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

The consequences of following the enticer and the treacherous one can be severe. They can lead to a deviation from the true path of Islam, causing confusion and division among Muslims. Moreover, the trust and unity within the Muslim community can be shattered when individuals betray the trust placed in them. This Hadith serves as a warning against blindly following individuals without verifying their intentions and actions.

Muslims should reflect on this Hadith and strive to seek knowledge from reliable sources, grounded in the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt. By doing so, they can protect themselves from the influence of those who entice towards deviance and betray trust. It is essential to remain steadfast in the face of such individuals and to uphold the principles of truth, justice, and righteousness.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the straight path and protect us from the enticements of those who lead astray and betray trust. May we always seek knowledge from authentic sources and follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. Ameen.