Hadith #7939

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he expresses his amazement at those who criticize and condemn the faults of others while being oblivious to their own shortcomings. The Imam highlights the irony of such behavior, emphasizing that one should first reflect upon their own flaws before pointing fingers at others.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The key words in this Hadith are (I am amazed) "عَجِبْتُ", (disapproves) "يُنْكِرُ", (faults) "عُيُوبَ", (more) "أكْثَرُ", (faults) "مَعاباً", and (does not see them) "يُبْصِرُها".

The word (I am amazed) "عَجِبْتُ" signifies the astonishment of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) towards those who engage in fault-finding without recognizing their own shortcomings. It highlights the irony and lack of self-awareness in such behavior.

The term (disapproves) "يُنْكِرُ" refers to the act of criticizing or condemning the faults of others. It implies a negative judgment or rejection of the flaws observed in individuals.

The word (faults) "عُيُوبَ" refers to the imperfections or shortcomings that exist within individuals. These faults can be moral, behavioral, or intellectual in nature.

The term (more) "أكْثَرُ" emphasizes the abundance or greater quantity of faults that one possesses. It draws attention to the fact that individuals often have more flaws than they realize.

The word (faults) "مَعاباً" is a plural form of (fault) "عَيْب" and further emphasizes the multitude of imperfections that individuals possess.

Lastly, the phrase (does not see them) "يُبْصِرُها" highlights the lack of self-awareness and introspection in individuals who are quick to criticize others but fail to recognize their own faults.

To further understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds 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 verse teaches us the importance of refraining from ridiculing or belittling others. It encourages us to recognize that others may possess qualities and virtues that we are unaware of. It reminds us to focus on our own self-improvement rather than engaging in fault-finding.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Qalam (68:2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And you are not, by the favor of your Lord, a madman.

This verse highlights the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness. It reminds us that we should not be oblivious to our own faults and shortcomings.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in this Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to engage in self-reflection and self-improvement. It urges us to be humble and to recognize our own flaws before criticizing others. By doing so, we can cultivate a more compassionate and understanding attitude towards our fellow Muslims.

Furthermore, this Hadith teaches us the importance of sincerity and self-accountability. It encourages us to focus on our own spiritual growth and to rectify our own faults instead of being preoccupied with the faults of others. By doing so, we can create a more harmonious and supportive Muslim community.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be self-reflective and humble. It highlights the irony of criticizing others while being oblivious to our own faults. By focusing on self-improvement and cultivating a compassionate attitude towards others, we can contribute to the betterment of our Muslim community and strive towards spiritual growth. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and humility to recognize our own faults and work towards rectifying them.