Hadith #15

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

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

مَا كُلُّ مَفْتُونٍ يُعَاتَبُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

Every mischief monger cannot even be reproved.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (maftoon) "مَفْتُونٍ" refers to someone who causes mischief, discord, or corruption. It is derived from the root word (fatana) "فَتَنَ", which means to test or afflict. The word (yu'atabu) "يُعَاتَبُ" means to be reproved, admonished, or criticized.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the consequences of spreading mischief and corruption in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 64:

And the Jews say, 'The hand of Allah is chained.' Chained are their hands, and cursed are they for what they say. Rather, both His hands are extended; He spends however He wills. And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. And We have cast among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindled the fire of war [against you], Allah extinguished it. And they strive throughout the land [causing] corruption, and Allah does not like corrupters.

This verse highlights the consequences of spreading corruption and mischief. Those who engage in such actions are cursed and their hands are metaphorically chained. They are driven further into transgression and disbelief. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also mentions that He does not like corrupters, emphasizing the severity of this behavior.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 205, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against causing mischief and discord:

And when he turns away [from you], he strives throughout the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals. And Allah does not like corruption.

This verse highlights the destructive nature of those who engage in mischief and corruption. They strive to spread chaos and destruction, harming not only individuals but also the environment and livelihoods.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that not every mischief monger can be reproved. This means that not everyone who causes corruption and discord can be effectively confronted or corrected. Some individuals are so deeply entrenched in their corrupt ways that they are resistant to admonishment or criticism.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious and discerning when dealing with those who spread mischief. It is important to recognize that not everyone can be reformed or persuaded to change their harmful behavior. In such cases, it is crucial to seek protection from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to distance ourselves from those who engage in corruption.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words carry great weight. Through this Hadith, he highlights the reality that some individuals are so deeply immersed in their corrupt ways that they cannot be reproved or corrected. It is a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant and to strive for righteousness, while also recognizing the limitations in dealing with those who persist in spreading mischief and corruption.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us on the path of righteousness and protect us from the influence of those who cause corruption. May we always seek His guidance and strive to be a source of goodness and harmony in the world.