Hadith #3015

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

لِلأحْمَقِ مََعَ كُلِّ قَوْل يَمِينٌ۔

This can be translated as,

For the fool there is an oath with every statement.

Let us delve into the connotation of this statement and explore its implications in the light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. The word (ahmaq) "أحْمَقِ" refers to a fool or an ignorant person. It signifies someone who lacks wisdom, understanding, and insight. The word (qawl) "قَوْل" means statement or speech. And finally, (yameen) "يَمِينٌ" translates to oath or swearing.

To comprehend the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 55:

And when they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say, 'For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace will be upon you; we seek not the ignorant.'

This verse highlights the importance of avoiding engaging with those who speak ill or foolishly. The believers are advised to distance themselves from such individuals and respond with peace. This aligns with the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), which suggests that fools tend to accompany their statements with oaths.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 199, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding the ignorant and not engaging in futile arguments or discussions with them. It is a reminder to focus on promoting goodness and righteousness instead.

Now, let us reflect on the implications of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, is highlighting the behavior of fools who feel the need to swear or take oaths with every statement they make. This excessive use of oaths is a sign of their ignorance and lack of credibility.

Fools often resort to swearing to convince others of their sincerity or to add weight to their words. However, their constant reliance on oaths reveals their inability to present logical arguments or provide evidence to support their claims. This behavior not only undermines their own credibility but also creates an atmosphere of doubt and mistrust.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is cautioning Muslims against being swayed by the words of such individuals. Instead, we are encouraged to seek knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. By doing so, we can discern the truth from falsehood and make informed decisions based on sound reasoning and evidence.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious when dealing with individuals who constantly resort to oaths and swearing. It highlights the importance of seeking knowledge, avoiding futile arguments, and focusing on promoting goodness and righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern truth from falsehood and protect us from the influence of the ignorant.