Hadith #10729

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 negative character trait of a person who not only engages in slander and backbiting but also forgets the favors bestowed upon him by others. This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to avoid such behavior and to always be grateful for the kindness and favors of others.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The word (sharr) "شَرُّ" translates to "worst" or "evil" and refers to the person who possesses the mentioned negative traits. (annas) "النّاسِ" means "person" or "people," indicating that this behavior is condemned universally.

The phrase (man sa'a bil-ikhwan) "مَنْ سَعى بِالإخْوانِ" can be translated as

one who slanders his brothers.

Here, (sa'a) "سَعى" refers to the act of striving or making an effort, while (bil-ikhwan) "بِالإخْوانِ" means "his brothers." This phrase emphasizes the severity of the wrongdoing, as it involves harming and defaming one's own brethren.

The second part of the Hadith states, (wa nasiya al-ihsan) "ونَسِيَ الإحْسانَ", which translates to

and forgets the favors [done to him by others].

(nasiya) "نَسِيَ" means "to forget," while (al-ihsan) "الإحْسانَ" refers to acts of kindness or favors. This part of the Hadith highlights the ingratitude of the person who not only engages in slander but also fails to acknowledge and appreciate the good deeds done for them.

To understand the significance of avoiding such behavior, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse emphasizes the importance of refraining from mockery, insults, and offensive behavior towards others. It reminds Muslims to treat each other with respect and kindness, acknowledging that others may be better than us in the sight of Allah. Engaging in slander and backbiting goes against the spirit of brotherhood and unity that Islam promotes.

Furthermore, the Quran teaches us the importance of gratitude and recognizing the favors of others. In Surah Ibrahim (14:7), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'

This verse highlights the significance of gratitude and its connection to receiving more blessings from Allah. Forgetting the favors done by others is a sign of ingratitude, which is condemned in Islam. Muslims are encouraged to be grateful for the kindness and favors bestowed upon them, as gratitude leads to an increase in blessings and rewards from Allah.

Reflecting on the exegesis of this Hadith, we understand that engaging in slander and forgetting the favors of others are grave sins in Islam. Muslims are reminded to avoid such behavior and instead strive to maintain unity, brotherhood, and gratitude. By doing so, we uphold the teachings of the Quran and the noble example set by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). May Allah guide us all to follow the path of righteousness and protect us from the evils of slander and ingratitude.