Hadith #6805

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of treating others with fairness, kindness, and empathy. It begins by instructing us to make ourselves a gauge or a measure between ourselves and others. This means that we should use our own desires, preferences, and sensitivities as a standard to guide our interactions with others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then advises us to love for others what we love for ourselves. This principle is rooted in the Quranic commandment to (Quran 4:32)

And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you exceed others

It encourages us to have a genuine concern for the well-being and happiness of others, just as we would for ourselves. This includes not only material possessions but also intangible blessings such as peace, success, and happiness.

To further emphasize this point, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to hate for others what we hate for ourselves. This means that we should not only seek good for others but also actively work against anything that causes harm, injustice, or suffering. This aligns with the Quranic injunction to (Quran 5:8)

And let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice

It reminds us to stand against oppression, discrimination, and any form of wrongdoing, just as we would expect others to do for us.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to do good as we would like good to be done to us. This echoes the golden rule mentioned in the Quran, (Quran 5:42)

And if you judge, judge with justice between them

It encourages us to treat others with kindness, compassion, and respect, knowing that we would desire the same treatment in return. It reminds us that our actions have consequences and that the way we treat others will ultimately shape the way we are treated.

Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns against oppression, urging us not to oppress others just as we would not want to be oppressed. This aligns with the Quranic commandment to (Quran 5:8)

And do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness

It reminds us of the importance of fairness, equity, and justice in our dealings with others. It cautions us against using our power, influence, or privilege to exploit or harm others, as we would not want to be on the receiving end of such treatment.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a comprehensive guide for our interactions with others. It calls upon us to be fair, compassionate, and considerate in our dealings, and to treat others in the same way we would want to be treated. By following these principles, we can foster a society based on justice, empathy, and mutual respect, in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble family. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to embody these teachings in our daily lives.