Hadith #171

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَا اخْتَلَفَتْ دَعْوَتَانِ إِلاَّ كَانَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا ضَلاَلَةً۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

If there are two different calls then one (of them) must be towards misguidance.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (da'watāni) "دَعْوَتَانِ" refers to two different calls or invitations. These calls can be understood as different ideologies, beliefs, or paths that people may follow. The word (iḥdāhuma) "إِحْدَاهُمَا" means "one of them," indicating that out of the two different calls, one is bound to be towards misguidance.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:116),

And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying.

This verse emphasizes the importance of following the true path of Allah and warns against blindly following the majority. It reminds us that the majority may often be misguided and that we should be cautious in accepting different calls or ideologies without proper scrutiny. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes this sentiment, highlighting the existence of misguidance in the presence of different calls.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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 emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and investigation when faced with different calls or information. It encourages Muslims to verify the authenticity and validity of any information before accepting it as truth. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith aligns with this Quranic principle, urging Muslims to be discerning and cautious when faced with conflicting ideologies.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek knowledge, understand the teachings of Islam, and critically analyze different calls or ideologies. It emphasizes the importance of following the true path of Allah, as guided by the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

By reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are reminded to be vigilant in distinguishing between truth and falsehood, and to strive for a deeper understanding of their faith. It encourages Muslims to seek knowledge from reliable sources, consult scholars, and engage in thoughtful discussions to strengthen their understanding of Islam.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious when faced with different calls or ideologies. It urges us to seek knowledge, critically analyze information, and follow the true path of Allah as guided by the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and to always remain steadfast on the straight path.