Hadith #2343

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his noble family, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

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

اِصْطِناعُ اللَّئِيمِ أقْبَحُ رَذيلَة۔

This Hadith can be translated into English as:

The favour of an ignoble person is the worst depravity.

Let us now delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith and explore its implications in the light of the Quran.

The word (istinaa) "اِصْطِناعُ" in this Hadith refers to the act of seeking or accepting a favor or assistance from someone. It implies a voluntary action of seeking help or support from another person. The word (lai'im) "اللَّئِيمِ" refers to someone who is ignoble, vile, or of low character. It describes a person who lacks moral integrity and righteousness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that seeking or accepting a favor from such an ignoble person is the worst form of depravity. This Hadith highlights the importance of maintaining our moral standards and integrity, even in our interactions with others.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2):

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking assistance and cooperation from those who are righteous and pious, while avoiding any association with those who engage in sin and aggression.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:28), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against befriending those who are wicked and immoral:

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.

From these verses, we can understand that seeking assistance or accepting favors from those who lack moral integrity and righteousness is not only discouraged but also detrimental to our own spiritual well-being. Associating with such individuals can lead us astray and compromise our own values and principles.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the importance of maintaining our moral compass and seeking assistance from those who are righteous and pious. By doing so, we not only protect ourselves from the negative influences of the ignoble, but we also uphold the values and principles of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious in seeking or accepting favors from those who lack moral integrity. It urges us to align ourselves with the righteous and pious, as guided by the Quran. By doing so, we safeguard our own spiritual well-being and uphold the principles of Islam in our interactions with others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern between the righteous and the ignoble, and may He guide us on the path of righteousness.