Hadith #4803

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) emphasizes the importance of being cautious and selective in sharing our personal matters with others, even with our close friends. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to safeguard some of our affairs and conceal some of our secrets from our close friends, as there is a possibility that we may regret revealing everything to them in the future.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this advice, let us delve into the important words used in this Hadith. The word (istanamta) "استنمت" means to gain confidence or trust in someone. It implies a level of closeness and intimacy in a relationship. The word (wadudik) "ودودك" refers to a close friend or a beloved companion.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us to verify information before believing and spreading it:

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of being cautious and verifying the truth before accepting and sharing information.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the consequences of revealing our secrets to others:

O you who have believed, when you are told, 'Space yourselves' in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space 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.

This verse highlights the importance of maintaining personal boundaries and being cautious in sharing our secrets, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is aware of our actions and will reward those who exercise wisdom and restraint.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith is rooted in his profound knowledge and understanding of human nature. He recognizes that people can change, relationships can evolve, and trust can be broken. By safeguarding some of our affairs and concealing some of our secrets, we protect ourselves from potential harm and regret.

For example, imagine a scenario where a person shares all their personal matters and secrets with a close friend, believing that they can be trusted completely. However, as time passes, the friend's priorities or loyalties may shift, and they may use the shared information against the person. This can lead to feelings of betrayal, regret, and even potential harm to one's reputation or well-being.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be cautious and discerning in our relationships, even with those we consider close friends. By safeguarding some of our affairs and concealing some of our secrets, we maintain a level of protection and preserve our own well-being. This does not mean that we should be suspicious or distant from others, but rather that we should exercise wisdom and discernment in sharing personal matters.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious and selective in sharing personal matters and secrets with others, even with close friends. By safeguarding some of our affairs and concealing some of our secrets, we protect ourselves from potential harm, regret, and betrayal. This advice aligns with the Quranic teachings of verifying information before accepting and sharing it, as well as maintaining personal boundaries and exercising wisdom in relationships. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and discernment to navigate our relationships with care and protect our well-being.