Hadith #1348

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,

المُؤْمِنُ مُنَزَّهٌ عَنِ الزَّيغِ والشِّقاقِ

which translates to

A believer is free from perversion and dissension.

Let us delve into the profound meanings of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (munazzah) "مُنَزَّهٌ" in this Hadith means being purified or cleansed. It signifies that a true believer is free from any form of perversion or deviation from the straight path. This purity is not only external but also internal, encompassing one's thoughts, intentions, and actions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of purity in the Quran, stating in Surah Al-A'raf (7:32),

Say, 'Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?' Say, 'They are for those who believe during the worldly life [but] exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection.' Thus, do We detail the verses for a people who know.

Furthermore, the word (zaygh) "الزَّيغِ" refers to deviation or straying from the right path. It includes any form of corruption, distortion, or deviation from the teachings of Islam. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against such deviation in Surah Al-Hajj (22:53), stating,

That is so because Allah causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and because Allah is Hearing and Seeing.

Similarly, the word (shiqaq) "الشِّقاقِ" refers to dissension or division. It signifies the breaking apart of unity and harmony among the believers. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of unity in Surah Al-Imran (3:103), stating,

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith highlights the characteristics of a true believer. A believer is one who is purified from all forms of perversion, deviation, corruption, and dissension. Such a believer is steadfast on the straight path, adhering to the teachings of Islam and avoiding any form of deviation or distortion.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for purity and unity. It encourages us to purify our hearts, minds, and actions from any form of perversion or deviation. It reminds us to stay united as a community, avoiding division and dissension. By embodying these qualities, we can strengthen our faith and contribute to the betterment of society.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can ask ourselves: Are we truly striving for purity in our thoughts, intentions, and actions? Are we actively working towards unity and harmony within the Muslim community? Let us take inspiration from Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who was known for his profound knowledge and unwavering commitment to the teachings of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of purity, unity, and righteousness.