Hadith #648

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Accompany the intelligent and you will benefit, turn away from this world and you will be safe.

This wise utterance holds great wisdom and guidance for all Muslims, regardless of their sect or school of thought.

Let us begin by examining the key words in this Hadith. The word (sahib) "صاحبِ" means to accompany or be in the company of someone. (al-'uqala) "العُقلاءَ" refers to the intelligent or wise individuals. (taghnam) "تَغْنَمْ" means to benefit or gain advantage, while (a'ridh) "أعرِضْ" means to turn away or abstain from. (addunya) "الدُّنيا" refers to the worldly life, and (taslam) "تَسلَمْ" means to be safe or secure.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 29:

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fearing Allah and seeking His guidance. By accompanying the intelligent, who possess wisdom and knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah, we can benefit from their guidance and attain the criterion to distinguish between right and wrong.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse highlights the temporary nature of worldly pursuits and the importance of turning away from them. By detaching ourselves from the materialistic aspects of this world, we can find true safety and security in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement encourages us to seek the company of the intelligent and wise individuals who possess knowledge and understanding of the Quran and Sunnah. By doing so, we can benefit from their wisdom, guidance, and insights. These individuals can help us navigate the complexities of life, make informed decisions, and avoid pitfalls and mistakes.

On the other hand, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to turn away from the distractions and temptations of this world. The pursuit of wealth, fame, and worldly pleasures can often lead us astray from the path of righteousness. By abstaining from these distractions, we can safeguard our faith, protect our hearts from corruption, and focus on the ultimate goal of attaining the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The consequences of following Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice are profound. By accompanying the intelligent, we can gain knowledge, wisdom, and guidance that will benefit us in this life and the Hereafter. We will be equipped with the tools to make wise decisions, avoid pitfalls, and navigate the challenges of life. By turning away from the distractions of this world, we can find true safety and security. Our hearts will be free from the love of material possessions, and we will be able to focus on our spiritual growth and the pursuit of the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a timeless reminder for all Muslims to seek the company of the intelligent and wise individuals who possess knowledge and understanding of the Quran and Sunnah. By doing so, we can benefit from their guidance and attain the criterion to distinguish between right and wrong. Additionally, by turning away from the distractions and temptations of this world, we can find true safety and security. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and seek the company of the intelligent, and may He protect us from the allurements of this world.