Question
What is the reference for this statement of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu)?
لا تستوحشوا في طريق الهدى لقلة أهله
Answer
I have not come across this in any authentic primary source. This appears in unreliable sources like Nahjul Balaghah.
‘Allamah Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyyah has cited this as the statement of some pious Predecessor.
(Madarijus Salikin, vol. 1 pg. 209)
Translation
Do not find the path of guidance desolate due to the lack of people on it.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar