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Malice and Its Harmful Effects in Nahj al-Balagha The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief Malice and Its Harmful Effects in Nahj al-Balagha 2026-01-13 48 Views Family , Love , Leadership , Enmity with Ali , sermon 86 , Letter 53 , hostilit Malice and spitefulness are among the major diseases of the heart and prevent a person from achieving moral and spiritual perfection.

Malice is a feeling of enmity that someone harbors toward another, often resulting from anger or resentment that the spiteful person cannot express. Contents Harms and Consequences of Spitefulness The Malice of Quraysh Toward Imam Ali (AS) Malice Leads to Conflict Love as the Antidote for Malice Responsibility of Leaders Therefore, a person consumed by malice waits for opportunities to act on their anger and take revenge.

In this article, we explore the nature of malice, its harmful consequences, and the responsibilities humans have in relation to it. Harms and Consequences of Spitefulness Spitefulness has numerous harmful effects, including envy, severing relationships, harming others through insults, gossip, lies, slander, and ridicule.

Even if none of these outward behaviors appear, the mere fact that a spiteful person cannot be generous, kind, humble, cheerful, or helpful to those in need is sufficient to consider malice one of the most destructive diseases of the heart. For a believer in a merciful and forgiving God and a noble Prophet (PBUHH), it is inappropriate to make the heart a home for malice and to cause suffering to oneself and others. The (PBUHH) said: “The believer is not spiteful” .

[1] This indicates that a heart full of malice is incompatible with faith. In a narration, malice is linked to envy. Imam Ali (AS) said: “Malice is the trait of the envious” . [2] He also warned: “Purify your hearts from malice, for it is a deadly disease” . [3] According to Nahj al-Balagha, one should avoid all forms of enmity and malice, as they stir the soul and mind and lay the groundwork for various evils.

Imam Ali (AS) states: “Whoever persists in obstinacy and malice is the breaker upon whom God has placed a veil over his heart” . [4] In another guidance, he warns: “Obstinacy weakens the mind” . [5] Sometimes, disputes arise over trivial matters among family members or close friends, leading to lasting enmity. Such hostility may continue for years, with each party justifying themselves while fueling the conflict. The result is often the estrangement of those involved.