Hadith #1910

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the significance of self-awareness and refraining from criticizing others for their flaws when one is unaware of their own shortcomings. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (ignorance) "جَهْلًا", (faults) "عُيُوبَ", (malign) "يَطْعَنَ", and (turn away) "تَحَوُّلَ". The word "جَهْلًا" signifies a lack of knowledge or awareness, specifically in relation to oneself. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that it is a form of ignorance for a person to remain oblivious to their own faults and weaknesses. This ignorance can lead to arrogance and a false sense of superiority over others.

To support this concept, we can turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 56:

Indeed, you [O Muhammad] do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse highlights the fact that true guidance comes from Allah alone. It is not within our capacity to judge or criticize others, as we are unaware of their true state and the guidance they may receive from Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 11, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us:

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.

This verse emphasizes the importance of refraining from mocking or belittling others, as we may not be aware of their true worth in the sight of Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further cautions against maligning people for their flaws, especially when one is unable to turn away from similar faults themselves. This highlights the hypocrisy and injustice of criticizing others while neglecting one's own self-improvement. The Quran supports this notion in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 12:

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 reminds us to refrain from making negative assumptions about others and engaging in backbiting or gossip. It draws a powerful analogy, comparing backbiting to consuming the flesh of a deceased person, something that is repulsive to us. It serves as a reminder that just as we detest such an act, we should also detest speaking ill of others behind their backs.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to reflect upon our own faults and strive for self-improvement rather than focusing on the flaws of others. This self-awareness leads to humility and a genuine desire to rectify oneself. It also fosters empathy and compassion towards others, as we recognize that we are all fallible beings in need of forgiveness and guidance from Allah.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to cultivate self-awareness and refrain from criticizing others without first acknowledging and rectifying their own faults. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of humility, empathy, and avoiding negative assumptions. By embodying these principles, we can strive to create a harmonious and compassionate society, guided by the light of Allah's wisdom. May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to implement these teachings in our lives.