Hadith #7791

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of acting without knowledge or understanding. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, compares such actions to a person who is traveling on the wrong path. Just as someone who is on the wrong path is moving away from their intended destination, the one who acts with ignorance distances themselves from their goal.

Let us delve deeper into the words used in this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The word "عَامِلُ" refers to the one who acts or performs actions. "بِجَهْل" means with ignorance or lack of knowledge. "كَالسَّائِرِ" is translated as

like one who is traveling.

"غَيْرِ طَرِيْق" means on the wrong path. "فَلا يَزِيدُهُ جِدَّهُ" can be translated as

so his effort in moving forward adds nothing for him.

Finally, "بُعْدًا عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ" means distance from his goal.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding before taking any action. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah says,

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 highlights the need to verify information and not act based on ignorance, as it can lead to harm and regret.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-An'am (6:116), where Allah says,

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 warns against blindly following the majority without knowledge and understanding, as they may lead us astray from the path of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) thought-provoking saying serves as a reminder for all Muslims to seek knowledge and understanding before taking any action. Acting without knowledge is not only futile but also detrimental, as it distances us from our intended goals. Just as a traveler who is on the wrong path needs to reorient themselves towards the right direction, we must strive to acquire knowledge and understanding to ensure that our actions align with the teachings of Islam.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of intention and purpose in our actions. Merely exerting effort without knowledge and understanding does not bring us closer to our goals. It is crucial to have a clear understanding of our objectives and the correct path to achieve them. This aligns with the Quranic concept of "Ihsan," which encompasses excellence in our actions and intentions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims to seek knowledge and understanding before taking any action. Acting without knowledge is akin to traveling on the wrong path, which only distances us from our goals. By emphasizing the importance of knowledge, intention, and purpose, this Hadith encourages us to strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek knowledge and act upon it in a manner that is pleasing to Him.