Library Ethics Greater Sins Chapter 42 Persistence in Minor Sins Misdeed of an Ālim corrupts many worlds
Misdeed of an Ālim corrupts many worlds
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Misdeed of an Ālim corrupts many worlds
Muhaqqiq Khwansari comments on the above statement made by Amir ul-Mu’minÄ«n ‘Ali (a.s.) in the following way. Misdeed of an Ä€lim could be the sin he commits himself or the mistake that he commits in the discharge of his duty as a jurisprudent. Both these mistakes are not restricted to the scholar himself but have far-reaching consequences involving a large number of people and several spheres of activity, spreading corruption and disorder. When people see a knowledgeable person committing a sin, the severity and evil of the sin is lost on them, they think it to be insignificant and begin to indulge in it. If he makes a mistake in promulgating a law of Shari’a, many people can be adversely affected by a law which is defective. Also the validity of many acts may be dependant upon this faulty command.
Therefore the responsibilities of an Ālim are tremendous and he has to be cautious and vigilant in refraining from sins and mistakes.
In the same strain is the following statement:
“The sin of an Ä€lim is like the wrecking of ship. That takes others with it (when it sinks).”
(Amali Vol. 4 page 109)
