Hadith #754

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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) emphasizes the importance of two noble traits: guarding one's friendship and fulfilling one's promise. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (shiym) "شِّيَمِ" in Arabic refers to a person's character or disposition. It encompasses one's moral qualities, virtues, and traits. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that the most honorable and noble trait among all is (ri'ayatul wudd) "رِعايَةُ الوُدِّ", which can be translated as "guarding one's friendship."

The concept of friendship is highly valued in Islam. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages Muslims to maintain strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood. In the Quran, Allah says, (Surah Al-Imran, 3:103)

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that guarding our friendships involves nurturing and protecting them. It means being loyal, trustworthy, and supportive to our friends. It also means avoiding any actions or words that may harm or betray our friends. This noble trait is essential for fostering unity and harmony within the Muslim community.

Furthermore, the Hadith highlights the importance of fulfilling one's promise. The word (himam) "هِمَمِ" refers to one's intentions, aspirations, or endeavors. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that the best of these endeavors is (injazu al-waad) "إنجازُ الوَعدِ", which means "fulfilling one's promise."

Fulfilling promises is a fundamental aspect of integrity and trustworthiness in Islam. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of fulfilling commitments in the Quran, saying, (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:1)

O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts.

When we make a promise, whether it is to Allah or to our fellow Muslims, it becomes our duty to fulfill it. Fulfilling promises demonstrates our sincerity, reliability, and accountability. It strengthens the bonds of trust and fosters a sense of responsibility within the community.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that these two noble traits, guarding one's friendship and fulfilling one's promise, are the pinnacle of moral excellence. By embodying these traits, we can contribute to the well-being and unity of the Muslim ummah.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see the profound impact it can have on our personal and communal lives. By guarding our friendships, we create an environment of love, support, and compassion. By fulfilling our promises, we build a society based on trust, reliability, and accountability.

Let us strive to embody these noble traits in our daily lives as Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to guard our friendships and fulfill our promises, and may He bless us with the strength to uphold these virtues for the betterment of ourselves and the entire Muslim ummah.