Hadith #883

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لاتَثِقْ بالصَّديقِ قَبْلَ الخُبْرَةِ۔

This can be translated as,

Do not trust in a friend before testing him.

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of verifying the trustworthiness of individuals before placing complete reliance on them.

To understand the depth and significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. The word (sadeeq) "صَدِيق" refers to a friend or companion, someone with whom we share a close bond. The word (thiqa) "ثِقَة" means trust or reliance. And the word (khubra) "خُبْرَة" refers to testing or examining someone's character or integrity.

This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasizes the importance of verifying the trustworthiness of individuals before placing our complete trust in them. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6),

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 encourages Muslims to investigate and verify the information brought to them by others, so as to avoid spreading false rumors or causing harm due to ignorance. It teaches us the importance of not blindly trusting others, but rather examining the credibility and reliability of the information or the person conveying it.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Anfal (8:43), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And Allah certainly knows the believers and the hypocrites.

This verse highlights the fact that Allah has knowledge of the true nature and intentions of individuals. It reminds us that we should not hastily place our trust in someone without first assessing their character and actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wise counsel in this Hadith urges Muslims to exercise caution and prudence when forming relationships and alliances. It serves as a reminder that trust should be earned through observation and experience, rather than given freely without any scrutiny.

By testing the trustworthiness of a friend or companion, we can avoid potential harm or betrayal. This testing can take various forms, such as observing their behavior, assessing their integrity, and evaluating their consistency in words and actions. It is through this process of examination that we can determine whether someone is deserving of our complete trust and reliance.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, provides us with this guidance to protect ourselves from potential harm and deception. By following his advice, we can establish relationships based on trust and integrity, ensuring that our bonds are built on a solid foundation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Do not trust in a friend before testing him

emphasizes the importance of verifying the trustworthiness of individuals before placing complete reliance on them. This teaching aligns with the Quranic injunctions that encourage investigation and examination of information and individuals. By following this guidance, we can safeguard ourselves from potential harm and betrayal, and establish relationships based on trust and integrity. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern the true character of those around us and protect us from deception.