Hadith #685

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ), and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

خيرُ مَنْ صاحَبْتَ ذَوُوا العِلْمِ والحِلمِ۔

This can be translated as,

The best of those whom you can accompany are the people of knowledge and insight.

In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of seeking the company of knowledgeable and wise individuals.

Let us delve deeper into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. "صاحَبْتَ" refers to accompanying or being in the company of someone. "ذَوُوا" is the plural form of "ذِي" which means possessing or having. "العِلْمِ" refers to knowledge, specifically religious knowledge. And "الحِلْمِ" refers to insight, wisdom, and patience.

The Quranic verses support the significance of seeking the company of knowledgeable and wise individuals. In Surah Al-Kahf (18:28), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 importance of surrounding oneself with those who are devoted to Allah and constantly seek His guidance.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse emphasizes that true guidance comes from Allah alone, and it is through the company of knowledgeable individuals that we can increase our chances of being guided on the right path.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages Muslims to seek the company of those who possess knowledge and insight. This is because the people of knowledge have a deep understanding of the teachings of Islam and can guide others towards righteousness. They possess the ability to interpret the Quran and Sunnah in a comprehensive and accurate manner.

By accompanying the people of knowledge, we can benefit from their wisdom, learn from their experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of our faith. Their guidance can help us navigate through the complexities of life and make informed decisions based on Islamic principles. Moreover, being in the company of knowledgeable individuals can inspire us to strive for excellence in our own pursuit of knowledge.

On the other hand, if we choose to associate with those who lack knowledge and insight, we may be led astray and fall into error. The Quran warns us in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11),

O you who have believed, when you are told, 'Make room in assemblies,' then make room; Allah will make room for you. And when you are told, 'Arise,' then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of seeking the company of knowledgeable and wise individuals. By doing so, we can benefit from their guidance, deepen our understanding of Islam, and increase our chances of being guided on the right path. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek the company of the people of knowledge and insight, and may He bless us with true guidance and understanding.