Hadith #5765

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious when dealing with individuals who respond to their truthfulness with denial and falsehood. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (tasduq) "تَصْدُقْ", which translates to "tell the truth" or "speak honestly." Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims not to tell the truth to those who respond to it with (takdhibihi) "تَكْذِيبِهِ", meaning denial or belying. This Hadith highlights the importance of discerning the sincerity and receptiveness of the listener before sharing the truth.

To understand the significance of this advice, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Anfal (8:32), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And remember when they said, 'O Allah, if this should be the truth from You, then rain down upon us stones from the sky or bring us a painful punishment.'

This verse illustrates the response of the disbelievers to the truth brought by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Instead of accepting the truth, they challenged Allah to send a punishment upon them. This demonstrates the importance of discerning the receptiveness of the listener before conveying the truth.

Another verse that sheds light on this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with justice and righteousness, even if they do not share our beliefs. However, it does not require us to share the truth with those who respond with denial and belying.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith is rooted in wisdom and practicality. By cautioning Muslims against sharing the truth with those who deny it, he ensures that the truth is preserved and not wasted on those who are not receptive. This advice protects the integrity of the truth and prevents it from being distorted or manipulated by those who are not sincere.

Moreover, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith encourages Muslims to be discerning in their interactions and to prioritize sincerity and receptiveness. It serves as a reminder that the truth should be shared with those who are open-minded and willing to accept it, rather than wasting it on those who will only respond with denial and falsehood.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds Muslims to be cautious when sharing the truth with others. It highlights the importance of discerning the receptiveness of the listener before conveying the truth. By following this advice, Muslims can ensure that the truth is preserved and shared with those who are sincere and open-minded. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern the sincerity of others and guide us to convey the truth in the most effective manner.