Hadith #5355

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,

كُلُّ ما خَلاَ اليَقينِ ظَنٌّ وشُكُوكٌ۔

This beautiful Hadith emphasizes the importance of certitude and highlights the inherent weakness of conjecture and doubt. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (yaqeen) "يَقِين" in Arabic refers to absolute certainty, firm belief, and unwavering conviction. It is the opposite of doubt and uncertainty. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that anything lacking this certainty is mere conjecture and dubiety. This Hadith encourages us to seek knowledge and understanding that is firmly grounded in certainty, rather than relying on mere assumptions or doubts.

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and certainty. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse highlights the necessity of verifying information and seeking certainty before acting upon it. It cautions against blindly accepting rumors or hearsay, which can lead to harm and regret.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

This verse advises Muslims to refrain from making baseless assumptions and negative conjectures about others. It reminds us that assumptions can lead to sin and harm relationships. Instead, we should strive for certainty and fairness in our judgments.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek knowledge, understanding, and certainty in all aspects of life. It encourages us to question, investigate, and verify information before accepting it as truth. By doing so, we can avoid falling into the trap of conjecture and doubt, which can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and misguided actions.

In our daily lives, this Hadith has profound implications. It reminds us to be cautious when forming opinions or making decisions based on incomplete or unreliable information. It urges us to seek knowledge from credible sources, consult experts, and critically analyze information before drawing conclusions. By doing so, we can ensure that our beliefs and actions are rooted in certainty and truth.

Moreover, this Hadith also highlights the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding in matters of faith. Islam encourages Muslims to seek knowledge and deepen their understanding of the religion. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, exemplified this principle throughout his life. His emphasis on certainty serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek knowledge from authentic sources, study the Quran, and understand the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of certitude and the inherent weakness of conjecture and doubt. It encourages us to seek knowledge, understanding, and certainty in all aspects of life, whether it be in matters of faith or worldly affairs. By doing so, we can make informed decisions, avoid misunderstandings, and ensure that our beliefs and actions are firmly grounded in truth. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to seek knowledge and attain certainty in all aspects of our lives.