Wisdom 19: Overlook the Mistakes of People of Honor
Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said:
“Overlook the slips of people of honor, for whenever one of them stumbles, Allah holds his hand and raises him up.”
Key Terms
Aqīlū (أقيلوا)
Pardon, forgive, overlook, or excuse someone’s mistake.
Murū’ah (المروءة)
Nobility of character, integrity, honorable conduct, and moral excellence that inspires a person to embrace virtue and avoid disgraceful behavior.
‘Athara (عثر)
To stumble, slip, or fall into error.
Summary of the Wisdom
In this wisdom, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) advises believers to forgive the occasional mistakes of people known for their integrity and honorable character.
A truly honorable person consistently respects the rights of others, fulfills the rights of Allah, and lives with sincerity and dignity.
If such a person slips or makes a mistake, Allah, out of His mercy and grace, helps him recover quickly and guides him back to the right path.
Commentary
1. Who Is a Person of Honor?
Imam Ali (peace be upon him) was once asked about the meaning of murū’ah (honor and noble character). He replied:
“Do not do in private what you would be ashamed to do in public.”
This definition shows that a person of honor possesses integrity.
Their public behavior reflects their private character, and they strive to maintain honesty, purity, and righteousness in every circumstance.
Such people respect both:
- The rights of Allah.
- The rights of His creation.
2. People of Honor Deserve Compassion
Individuals who possess noble character are naturally inclined toward guidance, humility, and sincere repentance.
When they make mistakes, they do not persist in wrongdoing but strive to correct themselves.
The Imam teaches that such people deserve understanding and forgiveness rather than harsh judgment.
History offers many examples of individuals whose honorable nature ultimately led them to salvation after they corrected their mistakes.
Among the examples mentioned in this commentary are:
- Al-Hurr ibn Yazid al-Riyahi, whose courage, humility, and repentance led him to join Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) at Karbala.
- Tayyeb Haj Rezaei, remembered for his loyalty, courage, and refusal to falsely accuse Imam Khomeini despite severe torture during the Pahlavi era.
These examples illustrate how noble character can guide a person back to truth, even after serious errors.
Key Messages
Good character and honorable conduct prepare a person to receive Allah’s special care and assistance.
If we strive to:
- Respect the rights of others,
- Treat people with kindness,
- Show generosity,
- Practice selflessness,
- Maintain dignity and integrity,
then Allah’s support will accompany us during times of weakness and difficulty.
Likewise, if Allah overlooks the occasional mistakes of righteous and honorable people, we too should cultivate forgiveness and avoid excessive harshness toward those whose lives are generally characterized by goodness.
Self-Assessment
- Who is considered a truly honorable person according to this wisdom?
- Whose mistakes should we be willing to overlook and forgive?
- Name two historical examples mentioned in this commentary of honorable individuals who found salvation after correcting their mistakes.
Quick Links
Home – Quran and Nahj al-Balagha Institute
Eitaa Channel
https://eitaa.com/twonoor
Telegram Channel
https://t.me/twonoor
Keywords: Wisdom 19, Nahj al-Balagha, Imam Ali, The Luminous Path, Honor, Integrity, Forgiveness, Noble Character, Repentance, Islamic Ethics.