Hadith #10735

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The worst person is one who looks for the faults of others while turning a blind eye to his own faults.

This Hadith highlights the negative character trait of being excessively critical of others while neglecting one's own flaws.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith. The word (sharr) "شَرُّ" means the worst or most evil. (annas) "النّاسِ" refers to people in general. (man) "مَنْ" means whoever or the one who. (kana) "كانَ" signifies someone who is or someone who becomes. (mutatabbian) "مُتَتَبِّعاً" refers to someone who follows or seeks. (li'uyub) "لِعُيُوبِ" means the faults or shortcomings. ('amiyyan) "عَمِيّاً" denotes someone who is blind or oblivious. (lima'aibih) "لِمَعائِبِهِ" refers to his own faults.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse emphasizes the importance of not ridiculing or insulting others. It reminds us that we should not judge others based on their external appearances or perceived faults. Instead, we should focus on our own self-improvement and refrain from engaging in harmful behavior towards others.

Another relevant verse is found in Surah Al-Qalam (68:10), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the ultimate judge and knows best who is truly righteous and who has deviated from the right path. It is not our place to constantly seek out the faults of others, as we are fallible beings ourselves. Instead, we should focus on seeking guidance from Allah and striving to improve our own character.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims. It teaches us the importance of self-reflection and self-accountability. Instead of being preoccupied with the faults of others, we should direct our attention inward and strive to rectify our own shortcomings.

By constantly seeking the faults of others, we not only waste our time and energy but also create a negative environment of judgment and criticism. This behavior can lead to the breakdown of relationships and the spread of animosity among people. On the other hand, when we focus on self-improvement, we contribute to the betterment of society and foster a culture of empathy, understanding, and forgiveness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his teachings continue to guide Muslims today. This Hadith serves as a reminder to follow in his footsteps and strive for self-improvement rather than being consumed by the faults of others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize our own flaws and the strength to rectify them.