Hadith #10925

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

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

نِعْمَ الرَّفيقُ الوَرَعُ، وبِئْسَ القَرينُ الطَّمَعُ۔

This can be translated as,

Piety is indeed a good companion and avarice is certainly an evil associate.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. (rafiq) "رَفِيقُ" means companion or friend, while (wara') "وَرَعُ" refers to piety or righteousness. On the other hand, (qarin) "قَرِينُ" signifies an associate or a close companion, and (tamah) "طَمَعُ" denotes avarice or greed.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Tawbah, verse 119:

O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.

This verse emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with righteous companions, as they have a significant impact on our spiritual journey. Piety, as mentioned in the Hadith, is indeed a good companion that guides us towards righteousness and helps us in our pursuit of the pleasure of Allah.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Mutaffifin, verse 26:

No! Indeed, the record of the wicked is in sijjeen.

Here, the Quran highlights the consequences of associating with evil companions. Avarice, as mentioned in the Hadith, is indeed an evil associate that leads us astray and corrupts our hearts. It blinds us to the true purpose of life and diverts us from the path of righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful saying serves as a reminder for Muslims to choose their companions wisely. Piety, represented by the word "وَرَعُ," is not only an individual virtue but also a quality that should be sought in our companions. When we surround ourselves with pious individuals, their actions, words, and character inspire us to strive for righteousness. They remind us of our duties towards Allah and encourage us to fulfill them.

Conversely, avarice, represented by the word "طَمَعُ," is a destructive trait that can lead us down a path of greed, selfishness, and moral corruption. Associating with individuals driven by avarice can influence us to adopt similar traits, leading us away from the path of righteousness and causing harm to ourselves and others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement holds immense wisdom and practical guidance for Muslims. It urges us to reflect on the company we keep and evaluate whether our companions are nurturing our spiritual growth or hindering it. It reminds us to seek out righteous individuals who will support us in our journey towards Allah's pleasure and distance ourselves from those whose greed and selfishness may lead us astray.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of choosing pious companions and avoiding the company of those driven by avarice. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to surround themselves with individuals who inspire and uplift them in their pursuit of righteousness. May Allah guide us to choose righteous companions and protect us from the influence of evil associates.