Hadith #2594

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,

ما أنْكَدَ عَيْشَ الحَقُودِ۔

This can be translated into English as,

How miserable is the life of a spiteful person!

In this beautiful saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the wretchedness and unhappiness that accompanies a person who harbors feelings of spite and malice towards others.

To fully comprehend the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (ankada) "أنْكَدَ" refers to the extreme intensity of something, indicating a state of severe distress or misery. It conveys the idea of a life filled with constant anguish and sorrow. The term (aysh) "عَيْشَ" refers to life or livelihood, encompassing all aspects of one's existence. Lastly, (al-haqood) "الحَقُودِ" refers to a person who is spiteful, harboring deep-seated resentment and ill-will towards others.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the destructive nature of harboring hatred and malice in our hearts. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), Allah says,

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding negative assumptions, backbiting, and spying on others. It compares such actions to consuming the flesh of a deceased person, something that is repulsive to us. This analogy serves as a powerful reminder of the repugnance of harboring ill-will towards others. Just as we would detest the idea of consuming the flesh of our brother, we should also detest the idea of harboring spite and malice in our hearts.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands us,

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse highlights the importance of justice and impartiality, even in the face of animosity. It reminds us that our personal feelings of hatred should never cloud our judgment or hinder our ability to be fair and just. By overcoming our spiteful inclinations, we draw closer to righteousness and fulfill our duty as Muslims.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive consequences of harboring spite and malice towards others. Such negative emotions not only poison our own hearts but also create a toxic environment that hinders personal growth and fosters discord within the Muslim community. The life of a spiteful person is one filled with constant turmoil, as their negative energy consumes them from within.

Conversely, Islam teaches us to cultivate love, compassion, and forgiveness in our hearts. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,

The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth and the One above the heavens will have mercy upon you.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of embodying mercy and compassion towards others, as it leads to Allah's mercy being bestowed upon us.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims to refrain from harboring spite and malice towards others. By embracing love, compassion, and forgiveness, we not only improve our own well-being but also contribute to the unity and harmony of the Muslim community. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to follow the teachings of the Quran and the noble examples set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.