Hadith #6477

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us on how to deal with different types of individuals. It begins by stating,

Do not reprimand the ignorant one as he will hate you.

Here, the term "ignorant" refers to someone lacking knowledge or understanding. The Arabic word used for "reprimand" is (tu'ātib) "تُعاتِبِ", which means to admonish or criticize.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) cautions us against reprimanding the ignorant because doing so may lead to their resentment or animosity. This is because the ignorant person may not possess the necessary knowledge or understanding to comprehend the reasons behind the reprimand. Instead of responding positively to the reprimand, they may react negatively and develop a dislike towards the one who reprimanded them.

To further emphasize this point, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:199), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) instructs Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) by saying,

Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

This verse advises the Prophet (ﷺ) to avoid engaging with the ignorant and instead focus on promoting goodness and righteousness.

The second part of the Hadith states,

but reprimand the wise one as he will love you [for it].

Here, the term "wise" refers to someone who possesses knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. The Arabic word used for "reprimand" is (‘ātib) "عاتِبِ", which carries a similar meaning to "tu'ātib" but with a stronger connotation of advising or admonishing.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to reprimand the wise because they have the capacity to appreciate and benefit from constructive criticism. Unlike the ignorant, the wise individual possesses the necessary knowledge and understanding to comprehend the reasons behind the reprimand. They are more likely to reflect upon their actions, rectify their behavior, and develop a deeper appreciation for the one who offered them guidance.

To support this aspect of the Hadith, we can refer to Surah Al-Qasas (28:55), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And when they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say, 'For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace will be upon you; we seek not the ignorant.'

This verse highlights the response of the wise when faced with ill speech or reprimand. They do not respond with hostility or resentment, but rather they distance themselves from negativity and maintain a peaceful demeanor. They understand that everyone is accountable for their own actions, and they do not let the words of the ignorant affect their own behavior.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith is profound and applicable to our interactions with others. It reminds us to be mindful of the knowledge and understanding of those we engage with. Instead of reprimanding the ignorant, we should seek to educate and guide them in a gentle and compassionate manner. On the other hand, we should not hesitate to offer constructive criticism to the wise, as they have the capacity to appreciate and benefit from it.

By following this advice, we can foster a culture of learning, growth, and mutual respect within our communities. We should strive to emulate the wisdom and knowledge of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who was renowned for his deep understanding of Islam and his ability to guide others with wisdom and compassion. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to implement this guidance in our interactions with others and to continuously seek knowledge and understanding.