Hadith #856

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the consequences of hastily forming relationships without proper evaluation. The key words in this Hadith are (brother) "أخَاً", (without evaluation) "غيرِ اختِبار", (necessity) "الاضطرارُ", and (associating with the wicked) "مُرافَقَةِ الأشرارِ".

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of choosing righteous companions in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 28:

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance.

This verse highlights the significance of surrounding ourselves with individuals who are devoted to the worship of Allah and seek His pleasure.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Furqan, verse 27, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the consequences of bad company:

And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, 'Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way.

This verse serves as a reminder that associating with the wicked can lead to regret and remorse on the Day of Judgment.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith further elaborates on the importance of evaluating individuals before forming close relationships. It cautions us against blindly trusting others without assessing their character and values. This evaluation is necessary to ensure that we do not find ourselves compelled by circumstances to associate with those who engage in sinful or harmful behavior.

For instance, if one hastily befriends someone without evaluating their moral conduct, they may later find themselves in a situation where they are forced to accompany that individual in committing acts that go against the teachings of Islam. This could include engaging in dishonesty, immorality, or other sinful actions. Such a scenario would not only compromise one's own faith but also tarnish their reputation and potentially lead to severe consequences in this life and the hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound wisdom in this Hadith teaches us the importance of surrounding ourselves with righteous companions who will inspire and encourage us to adhere to the teachings of Islam. By evaluating the character and values of those we choose to befriend, we can ensure that our relationships are based on shared principles and a commitment to righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious in forming relationships without proper evaluation. It highlights the importance of choosing righteous companions who will support us in our journey towards pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By doing so, we can protect ourselves from being compelled to associate with those who engage in wickedness and ensure that our actions align with the teachings of Islam. May Allah guide us in forming meaningful and beneficial relationships and protect us from the influence of the wicked.