Hadith #10960

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,

الوُصْلَةُ بِاللّهِ فِي الاِنْقِطاعِ عَنِ النّاسِ۔

This can be translated as,

Connecting to Allah is in severing ties with the people.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (wuslah) "وُصْلَةُ" refers to connection or attachment. It implies a strong bond or link between two entities. (billah) "بِاللّهِ" means with Allah, indicating that the connection being referred to is with the Almighty. (fi) "فِي" means in or within, highlighting the location or context of the connection. (al-inqita') "الاِنْقِطاعِ" means severing or cutting off, signifying the act of breaking ties or disconnecting. (an-nas) "عَنِ النّاسِ" means from the people, indicating that the severing of ties is specifically from human beings.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of connecting to Him and severing ties with those who hinder our spiritual growth. In Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 45, Allah says,

Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.

This verse highlights the significance of establishing a connection with Allah through prayer, which serves as a means of preventing immoral behavior and wrongdoing. It is through this connection that we can attain closeness to Allah and seek His guidance.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 4, Allah states,

There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, 'Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone.'

This verse highlights the example of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his companions, who severed ties with their people and disassociated themselves from the false idols they worshipped. This act of severing ties was necessary to uphold their faith in Allah and to distance themselves from polytheism.

Based on these Quranic verses, we can understand the meaning of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. Connecting to Allah requires us to sever ties with those who hinder our spiritual growth and distance us from the path of righteousness. This does not mean completely cutting off all relationships with people, but rather prioritizing our connection with Allah and ensuring that our interactions with others are in line with His teachings.

By severing ties with those who lead us astray or engage in sinful behavior, we protect ourselves from being influenced by their negative actions and beliefs. This act of disassociation allows us to maintain our faith and uphold the principles of Islam. It serves as a means of purifying our hearts and minds, enabling us to focus on our spiritual journey and seek closeness to Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, highlights the importance of prioritizing our connection with Allah over worldly attachments. He encourages us to evaluate our relationships and ensure that they align with the teachings of Islam. By severing ties with those who hinder our spiritual growth, we create a space for Allah's guidance and mercy to enter our lives.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true connection to Allah is achieved by severing ties with those who hinder our spiritual growth. This does not mean completely cutting off all relationships, but rather prioritizing our connection with Allah and ensuring that our interactions with others are in line with His teachings. By disassociating ourselves from negative influences and sinful behavior, we protect our faith and create a space for Allah's guidance and mercy to enter our lives. May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to prioritize our connection with Him and to seek His pleasure in all aspects of our lives.