Hadith #7967

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

تَتَتُّعُ العَوْراتِ مِنْ أعْظَمِ السَؤْآتِ۔

This can be translated as,

Pursuing the faults [of others] is from the gravest evils.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (tattatu'u) "تَتَتُّعُ" is derived from the root (tata'awa) "تَتَعَاوَى", which means to seek, pursue, or look for. It implies actively searching for and focusing on the faults or weaknesses of others. The term (al-'awrat) "العَوْراتِ" refers to the flaws, shortcomings, or private matters of individuals. Finally, (a'zami) "أعْظَمِ" means the greatest or gravest.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against backbiting and slandering others in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 12:

And do not backbite one another. 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 repugnance of backbiting and compares it to the repulsion one would feel towards consuming the flesh of a deceased person. Just as consuming such flesh is abhorrent, so is engaging in gossip or spreading the faults of others. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) further emphasizes the importance of guarding our tongues in Surah Al-Qalam, verse 10:

Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two-thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse highlights the importance of reciting the Quran and seeking forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reminds us that we should focus on our own spiritual growth and seek forgiveness for our own shortcomings, rather than indulging in the faults of others. By doing so, we can attain the mercy and forgiveness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to refrain from pursuing the faults of others. It cautions against engaging in gossip, backbiting, and slander, which not only harm the reputation and dignity of individuals but also create divisions and discord within the community.

By focusing on the faults of others, we divert our attention from our own self-improvement and spiritual growth. Instead, we should strive to cultivate a culture of compassion, forgiveness, and unity within the Muslim community. This entails recognizing and acknowledging our own flaws and working towards rectifying them, while also extending empathy and understanding towards others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his teachings continue to guide and inspire Muslims to this day. His Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims to prioritize self-reflection and self-improvement over the pursuit of the faults of others. By doing so, we can foster a harmonious and compassionate community, rooted in the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his purified progeny.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to refrain from pursuing the faults of others and instead focus on our own self-improvement. May He guide us to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the Quran, and may He unite the Muslim ummah in love, compassion, and unity.