Obscure Matter
6 sayings
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
The obscure matter has been termed obscure for the very fact that it resembles [and therefore obscures] the truth. The friends of Allah take recourse in conviction as their light therein and the direction of the right path itself as their guide, whereas the enemies of Allah use it to call [others] to deviation and blind following is their guide therein.
Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 38; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 647 link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
Be on your guard against the obscure matter, for verily it has been set down in order to test [people].
Nahj al-Sa`ada, v. 2, p. 320; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 647 link
Stopping in the face of an obscure matter is better than plunging headlong into disaster
A`alam al-Din, p. 301; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 647 link
The most pious of people is he who stops in the face of an obscure matter
al-Khisal, p. 16, no. 56; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 647 link
Leave that which fills you with doubts for that which does not, for the one who grazes around the fire risks falling into it.
Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 1, p. 52; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 647 link
The lawful is evidently clear, and the unlawful is evidently clear, and obscurities fall between these two. He who abandons these obscurities is saved from the prohibited things, whereas one who delves into obscurities also ends up committing prohibited acts and falls into disaster whence he knows not
al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 68, no. 10; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 648 link
Shown with the book and page each saying is taken from. The collection carries no grading, and the English is the compiler’s. All subjects
