Hadith #6463

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ لَمْ يَعْتَبِرْ بِغَيْرِهِ لَمْ يَسْتَظْهِرْ لِنَفْسِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

One who does not take lesson from others does not take precaution for himself.

This amazing Hadith emphasizes the importance of learning from the experiences and wisdom of others in order to protect oneself from potential harm or mistakes.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. (ya'tabir) "عَتَبَرَ" means to reflect upon, ponder, or learn from something. It implies a deep level of understanding and introspection. (ghayrihi) "غَيْرِهِ" refers to others or those who are not oneself. (istadhir) "اِسْتَظْهِرْ" means to take precaution or to be cautious.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the message of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages us to seek knowledge and wisdom from various sources, including the experiences of others. In Surah Al-Anfal, Allah says, (Quran 8:46)

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient

This verse reminds us of the importance of learning from the guidance of the Prophet (ﷺ) and not allowing our own ego or arrogance to hinder our growth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah says, (Quran 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 respecting and learning from others, as they may possess qualities or knowledge that surpass our own.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to be humble and open-minded, recognizing that we can gain valuable insights and lessons from the experiences of others. By doing so, we can avoid repeating their mistakes and make better choices for ourselves. This Hadith also highlights the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom, as it is through learning from others that we can grow and develop as individuals.

For example, imagine a person who refuses to listen to the advice of their elders and disregards the experiences of those who have gone before them. They may find themselves making the same mistakes and facing unnecessary hardships. On the other hand, a person who actively seeks guidance from others and learns from their wisdom will be better equipped to navigate through life's challenges and make informed decisions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be humble, open-minded, and receptive to the lessons and wisdom of others. By reflecting upon the experiences of those who have come before us, we can protect ourselves from potential harm and make better choices for our own well-being. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to learn from others and seek knowledge that benefits us in this world and the hereafter.