Hadith #5120

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

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

مِنْ أعْظَمِ الْمَكْرِ تَحْسينُ الشَّرِّ۔

This can be translated as,

One of the greatest deceptions is making evil appear good.

Let us delve into the connotation of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (makr) "مَكْر" in this Hadith refers to deception or trickery. It implies the act of scheming or plotting to achieve a certain goal. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to the deceptive tactics employed by individuals to make something evil or sinful seem appealing or virtuous. This highlights the importance of recognizing and exposing such deceitful practices.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in the Quran about the consequences of falling into the trap of deception. In Surah Al-An'am, Allah says, (Quran 6:112)

And thus We have made for every prophet an enemy - devils from mankind and jinn, inspiring to one another decorative speech in delusion. But if your Lord had willed, they would not have done it, so leave them and that which they invent.

This verse emphasizes that the enemies of the prophets, both from among humans and jinn, conspire and deceive people through their eloquent and attractive speech. They aim to mislead individuals by presenting evil actions as good and righteous. It is crucial for Muslims to be aware of such tactics and to seek guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Another verse that sheds light on the concept mentioned in the Hadith is found in Surah Al-A'raf, where Allah says, (Quran 14:22)

And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded, 'Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. Indeed, I deny your association of me [with Allah] before. Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment.'

This verse highlights the deceptive nature of Satan, who promises people false rewards and tempts them into committing sins. Satan uses his cunning tactics to make evil actions appear attractive and alluring. However, he ultimately betrays those who follow him, leaving them to face the consequences of their actions. This serves as a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant and not be swayed by the deceptive allure of evil.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in this Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious and discerning in distinguishing between good and evil. It warns against falling into the traps of those who manipulate and deceive others by presenting sinful acts as virtuous. This Hadith encourages Muslims to seek knowledge and understanding of the teachings of Islam, as it is through knowledge that one can recognize the true nature of actions and avoid being deceived.

Furthermore, this Hadith highlights the wisdom and knowledge possessed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). His deep understanding of human nature and the tactics employed by those who seek to misguide others is evident in this statement. It serves as a testament to his exceptional wisdom and insight, which continue to guide Muslims to this day.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds Muslims of the importance of recognizing and exposing the deception that surrounds us. It urges us to seek knowledge and understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to safeguard ourselves from falling into the trap of making evil appear good. By doing so, we can strive to lead a righteous and virtuous life, guided by the true teachings of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the deceptions of Shaytan and grant us the wisdom to distinguish between good and evil.