In Sermon 139, Imam Ali (a.s.) cautions people against rumors and hearsay. This sermon was delivered during a time when social gossip was rampant, and individuals were discussing each other without any solid evidence. The Imam emphasizes that if one has knowledge of a brother's firmness in faith and correctness of conduct, they should not heed rumors about him. This is an important message that teaches us to rely on our experiences and observations of others rather than on hearsay.

The Imam illustrates his point by stating that just as an archer may occasionally miss the target, rumors can also be incorrect. This analogy highlights that circumstances are not always the same, and we should not take every statement at face value. Allah is the Hearer of everything and Knower of all, and He is aware of our intentions and thoughts.

Furthermore, the Imam describes the distance between truth and falsehood as being merely four fingers. This suggests that distinguishing between truth and lies is quite simple if we observe correctly. By placing his fingers between his ear and eye, the Imam indicates that truth is what one has seen, while falsehood is what one has only heard.

This sermon imparts the lesson that we should avoid gossip and refrain from making judgments about others' intentions and character without firsthand observation. We should strive to keep our hearts and minds clear and make decisions that align with Allah's pleasure.