Hadith #4892

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مُقارَنَةُ السُّفَهاءِ تُفْسِدُ الخُلْقَ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

Accompanying the dimwit corrupts one’s character.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by analyzing the key words. The word (muqarana) "مُقارَنَةُ" refers to accompanying or associating with someone. (sufaha) "السُّفَهاءِ" refers to the dimwitted or foolish individuals. And (tufsidu) "تُفْسِدُ" means to corrupt or spoil. Lastly, (khulq) "الخُلْقَ" refers to one's character or disposition.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of choosing righteous companions in Surah Al-Kahf (18:28), where He 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 positive influence of surrounding oneself with pious individuals who remember and worship Allah regularly.

Conversely, the Quran also warns us about the negative consequences of associating with those who are misguided or foolish. In Surah Al-Furqan (25:27), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, 'Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way.'

This verse illustrates the regret of those who followed the wrong path and did not seek guidance from the Prophet (ﷺ) and his righteous companions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the impact of our companions on our character. Just as spending time with wise and righteous individuals can elevate our morals and spirituality, associating with foolish and ignorant people can lead to the corruption of our character. This corruption can manifest in various ways, such as adopting their negative habits, engaging in immoral behavior, or neglecting our religious obligations.

For instance, if we spend time with individuals who engage in backbiting, slander, or dishonesty, we may find ourselves gradually adopting these negative traits. Similarly, if we surround ourselves with those who have no regard for the teachings of Islam, we may become indifferent towards our religious duties and lose sight of our purpose in life.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his unparalleled knowledge and wisdom, warns us about the detrimental effects of accompanying the dimwitted. His words serve as a reminder to carefully choose our companions and ensure that they are individuals who inspire us to be better Muslims.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of selecting our companions wisely. By surrounding ourselves with righteous individuals who remind us of Allah and uphold moral values, we can nurture and develop our character. Conversely, associating with foolish and ignorant individuals can lead to the corruption of our character. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to choose our companions wisely and protect us from the negative influences that can harm our character.