Hadith #10221

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,

The wicked one does not sincerely advise anyone except out of desire or fear, so when the desire or fear disappears, he returns to his true nature.

This Hadith highlights the insincerity and ulterior motives of those who offer advice with hidden agendas. It emphasizes that true advice is rooted in sincerity and is not influenced by personal desires or fears.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The word (laysa yansahu) "لا يَنْصَحُ" means

does not sincerely advise.

It implies that the advice given by the wicked person lacks sincerity and is not genuinely meant for the betterment of the individual receiving it. The word (al-la'eem) "اللَّئِيمُ" refers to the wicked or deceitful person who offers this insincere advice.

The Hadith further explains that the wicked person's motivation for giving advice is either (raghbah) "رَغْبَة" or (rahbah) "رَهْبَة". "رَغْبَة" refers to desire or personal interest, while "رَهْبَة" refers to fear or apprehension. This implies that the wicked person's advice is driven by selfish desires or the fear of consequences, rather than a genuine concern for the well-being of others.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us 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 ayah teaches us the importance of sincere advice and warns against ridiculing or insulting others. It emphasizes the need to treat others with respect and not to belittle them. The wicked person, as described in the Hadith, does not sincerely advise others but rather uses their weaknesses or vulnerabilities to manipulate them for personal gain. This behavior goes against the teachings of the Quran and the principles of Islam.

Another Quranic verse that aligns with the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

This verse emphasizes the importance of sincere cooperation and mutual support in matters of righteousness and piety. It warns against cooperating in sin and aggression, which includes offering insincere advice for personal gain. The wicked person, as described in the Hadith, does not genuinely cooperate with others for their betterment but rather seeks to exploit them for their own interests.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can see the profound consequences of insincere advice. When someone offers advice driven by desire or fear, their true nature is revealed once those motives disappear. This highlights the importance of being cautious and discerning when seeking advice. Muslims should seek guidance from those who are known for their sincerity, knowledge, and piety, such as the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be wary of insincere advice and to seek guidance from those who are genuinely concerned for their well-being. It teaches us the importance of sincerity, selflessness, and genuine concern for others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be sincere in our advice and actions, and protect us from the influence of the wicked.