Hadith #1588

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) states,

مَنْ رَكِبَ الباطِلَ زَلَّ قَدَمُهُ۔

This Hadith warns us about the consequences of engaging in falsehood and deceit. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (rakiba) "رَكِبَ" in Arabic means to ride or embark upon. It signifies an active engagement or involvement in something. In this context, it refers to someone who willingly and knowingly embraces falsehood, falsehood being anything that contradicts the truth and the teachings of Islam. The word (al-batil) "الباطِلَ" refers to falsehood, deceit, or anything that is devoid of truth and righteousness.

To understand the gravity of this Hadith, we must turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:69),

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of striving for the truth and righteousness. It assures us that those who sincerely seek the truth will be guided by Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hajj (22:54), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And that those who have been given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allah the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path.

This verse highlights the significance of knowledge and understanding in recognizing the truth. It emphasizes that those who possess knowledge will recognize the truth and submit to it with humility.

Now, let us reflect on the consequences of embracing falsehood, as mentioned in the Hadith. When one willingly embarks upon falsehood, their feet will slip. This slipping refers to the loss of stability, guidance, and righteousness. Just as when we walk on a slippery surface, our feet lose their grip and we stumble, similarly, when we choose to engage in falsehood, we lose our firm footing in the path of truth and righteousness.

The consequences of slipping in the realm of falsehood are manifold. Firstly, it leads to a deviation from the straight path prescribed by Allah. As 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.

When we embrace falsehood, we are susceptible to being misled by others who are also astray. This can lead us further away from the truth and the path of righteousness.

Secondly, slipping in falsehood can result in moral corruption and a loss of integrity. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:62),

And you see many of them hastening into sin and aggression and the devouring of [what is] unlawful. How wretched is what they have been doing.

When we indulge in falsehood, it can lead us to engage in sinful and unethical behavior, causing harm to ourselves and others.

Moreover, slipping in falsehood can also have severe consequences in the hereafter. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states in Surah Al-Ghashiyah (88:26),

Then it is Our job to call them to account.

Those who persist in falsehood will be held accountable for their actions on the Day of Judgment. They will face the consequences of their choices and their deviation from the truth.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to stay steadfast on the path of truth and righteousness. It warns us about the consequences of embracing falsehood and the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding to recognize the truth. Let us strive to hold firmly to the teachings of Islam, avoiding falsehood in all its forms, and seeking guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our endeavors. May Allah protect us from the pitfalls of falsehood and grant us the strength to remain steadfast on the straight path.