Hadith #885

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims with two important principles: not relying on friends without testing them, and being extremely cautious of enemies. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Do not rely on your friend until you have tested him.

The word "friend" in Arabic is (sadiqak) "صَديقَكَ", which refers to someone close to you, someone you trust and confide in. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to blindly trust our friends without testing them. This testing could involve observing their behavior, their loyalty, and their commitment to the principles of Islam.

This principle is supported by the Quran in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 emphasizes the importance of verifying information before accepting it, and it can be applied to testing the trustworthiness of our friends as well.

The second part of the Hadith states,

Be extremely cautious of your enemy.

The word "enemy" in Arabic is (aduwak) "عَدُوِّكَ", which refers to someone who opposes or harms you. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be vigilant and cautious when dealing with our enemies, as they may have ill intentions towards us.

This principle is also emphasized in the Quran in Surah Al-Anfal (8:30), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And [remember, O Muhammad], when the disbelievers plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.

This verse reminds us that our enemies may plot against us, and it is crucial to be cautious and aware of their intentions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be discerning and cautious in their relationships. It encourages us to be vigilant in testing the trustworthiness of our friends and to be aware of the potential harm that our enemies may pose.

By following this advice, we can protect ourselves from being deceived or betrayed by those we trust, and we can also safeguard ourselves from the harm that our enemies may try to inflict upon us. It is a call to exercise wisdom and prudence in our interactions with others, ensuring that our relationships are based on trust and sincerity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of testing our friends before relying on them and being cautious of our enemies. It aligns with the Quranic teachings of verifying information and being aware of the plots of those who oppose us. By adhering to these principles, we can navigate our relationships with wisdom and protect ourselves from potential harm. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives.