Hadith #3986

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 Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Indeed the religion [of Islam] is like a tree, its roots are certitude in Allah and its fruits are befriending for the sake of Allah and having enmity for the sake of Allah, the Glorified.

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encapsulates the essence of the Islamic faith and provides us with valuable insights into its core principles.

Let us delve into the key words used in this Hadith. The first word is (yaqeen) "يَقِين", which translates to "certitude" or "conviction." It refers to a deep and unwavering belief in the existence and oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This certitude serves as the foundation of the religion, just as the roots of a tree provide stability and nourishment.

The second word is (muwalaat) "مُوَالَاة", which means "befriending" or "loyalty." It signifies the act of forming sincere and loving relationships with fellow Muslims for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ۔). This includes showing kindness, support, and solidarity towards one another, fostering a sense of unity and brotherhood within the Muslim community.

On the other hand, the word (mu'adaat) "مُعَادَاة" means "having enmity" or "opposition." It refers to maintaining a stance of disapproval and resistance towards those who oppose the teachings of Islam or harm the Muslim community. This enmity is solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ۔), and it should be expressed in a just and righteous manner, without transgressing the boundaries set by Islam.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find support for the concepts mentioned in this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10),

The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

This verse emphasizes the importance of forming strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood among believers, which aligns with the concept of "muwalaat" mentioned in the Hadith.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahina (60:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) instructs the believers,

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse highlights the importance of maintaining a fair and just attitude towards those who do not oppose Islam, even if they may hold different beliefs. It reminds us to approach others with kindness and respect, in line with the principles of "muwalaat."

On the other hand, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:22),

You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred.

This verse emphasizes the necessity of having enmity towards those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), as mentioned in the Hadith. However, it is important to note that this enmity should be directed towards their actions and beliefs, rather than towards individuals themselves.

In light of this Hadith, we can understand that the religion of Islam is not merely a set of rituals and practices, but a comprehensive way of life. It is rooted in a firm belief in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and encompasses the principles of love, friendship, and justice. By cultivating certitude in our hearts, fostering sincere relationships with fellow Muslims, and opposing injustice and falsehood, we can manifest the true essence of Islam in our lives.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for all Muslims to reflect upon the core principles of their faith and strive to embody them in their daily lives. It encourages us to deepen our understanding of Allah's teachings and to seek knowledge from the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), particularly Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) who was known for his profound knowledge and wisdom.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to strengthen our certitude, foster sincere relationships, and stand up against injustice for His sake. May He bless us with the wisdom to comprehend the true essence of Islam and to embody its teachings in our lives. Ameen.