لا تُخْبِرَنَّ إلاّ عَنْ ثِقَة فَتَكُونَ كَذَّاباً، وإنْ أخْبَرتَ عَنْ غَيرِهِ فَإنَّ الكَذِبَ مَهانَةٌ وذُلٌّ۔
Never transmit information except from a reliable person otherwise you will become a liar, and if you transmit from other than him then surely telling lies is [a cause of] disgrace and dishonour.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: Narration And Transmission Of Information)
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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of transmitting information only from trustworthy sources. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to be cautious in relaying information, as spreading falsehood can lead to being labeled as a liar. Furthermore, if one transmits information from an unreliable source, it brings disgrace and dishonor.
Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (tukhbiranna) "تُخْبِرَنَّ" means to transmit or convey information. The word (thiqa) "ثِقَة" refers to a reliable or trustworthy person. (kathaban) "كَذَّاباً" means a liar, someone who intentionally spreads falsehood. (mahana) "مَهانَةٌ" signifies disgrace or humiliation, while (dhull) "ذُلٌّ" denotes dishonor or degradation.
To comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and warns against spreading falsehood. 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 before accepting and transmitting it. It cautions against harming others due to ignorance and emphasizes the importance of being responsible in conveying information.
In another verse, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:42), Allah warns against concealing the truth and spreading falsehood, saying,
And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].
This verse emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in communication, urging Muslims to refrain from distorting the truth or hiding it.
Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith aligns perfectly with these Quranic teachings. It serves as a reminder to Muslims to be cautious in transmitting information and to ensure its authenticity. By doing so, one upholds the values of truthfulness and integrity, avoiding the label of a liar and the consequences of disgrace and dishonor.
Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, making his advice in this Hadith even more significant. His deep understanding of the Quran and his exemplary character serve as an inspiration for Muslims to follow his teachings.
In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of transmitting information only from reliable sources. It warns against spreading falsehood, as it leads to being labeled as a liar and brings disgrace and dishonor. This Hadith aligns perfectly with the Quranic teachings of truthfulness and integrity in communication. Muslims are reminded to verify information before accepting and transmitting it, ensuring that they uphold the values of honesty and avoid the consequences of spreading falsehood. May Allah guide us all to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the wisdom to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
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