Hadith #6671

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all 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,

When you have hatred [for someone] then do not disassociate yourself [completely – and leave some room for possible future friendship].

This impactful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced approach towards those whom we may have feelings of animosity towards.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith. The word "abghadta" refers to having hatred or animosity towards someone. It signifies a strong negative emotion that one may feel towards another individual. The word "tahjur" means to completely disassociate oneself or sever ties with someone. It implies cutting off all forms of communication and interaction with that person.

To understand the wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8),

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining justice and righteousness even towards those who may not share our beliefs or may have wronged us. It encourages us to treat others with fairness and kindness, regardless of our personal feelings towards them. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes this sentiment, reminding us not to completely sever ties with those we may have animosity towards.

Furthermore, in Surah Fussilat (41:34), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us,

Good and evil are not equal. Repel evil with what is better. Then the one who was your enemy will become your dearest friend.

This verse teaches us the power of responding to hatred with kindness and forgiveness. By choosing to respond to animosity with goodness, we have the potential to transform our enemies into close friends. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith aligns with this Quranic principle, urging us to leave room for the possibility of future reconciliation and friendship.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his wisdom and knowledge, understood the long-term consequences of completely severing ties with others. He recognized that harboring hatred and cutting off all communication can lead to further division and animosity. By leaving room for possible future friendship, we open the door for reconciliation and the potential for healing relationships.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to adopt a balanced approach towards those we may have animosity towards. It encourages us to maintain justice, respond to hatred with kindness, and leave room for the possibility of reconciliation. By doing so, we can foster unity, forgiveness, and ultimately strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood within the Muslim community.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of not completely severing ties with those we may have animosity towards. It reminds us to respond to hatred with kindness and leave room for possible future friendship. By following this advice, we can contribute to a more harmonious and compassionate society, in line with the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).