Hadith #890

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the detrimental consequences of choosing to associate oneself with wicked individuals. The Arabic phrase used in the Hadith is

مِنْ سُوءِ الاختيارِ صُحْبَةُ الأشْرارِ

which can be translated as

One of the bad choices [that a person can make] is accompanying the wicked.

Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words and their implications. The word (soo') "سُوءِ" signifies something evil, harmful, or detrimental. It emphasizes the negative consequences that result from a particular action or choice. (ikhtiyar) "اختيار" refers to the act of choosing or selecting. It highlights the importance of making wise decisions in our lives.

The term (suhbah) "صُحْبَةُ" means companionship or association. It refers to the act of being in the company of someone, sharing their company, and engaging in social interactions with them. Finally, (al-ashrar) "الأشْرارِ" refers to the wicked or evil individuals. These are people who engage in immoral actions, promote corruption, and deviate from the path of righteousness.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the influence of bad company in Surah Al-Furqan, verse 28:

And [mention] the Day when the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, 'Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way. Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a friend. He led me away from the remembrance after it had come to me. And ever is Satan, to man, a deserter.'

This verse highlights the regret and remorse that the wrongdoer will experience on the Day of Judgment due to the choice of their companions. It emphasizes the importance of choosing righteous individuals as our companions, as they can guide us towards the remembrance of Allah and protect us from the influence of Satan.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 28, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the consequences of associating with those who are astray:

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.

This verse highlights the importance of surrounding ourselves with individuals who are devoted to the worship of Allah and seek His pleasure. It cautions against being influenced by those who are heedless of the remembrance of Allah and are driven by their own desires.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we understand that the company we keep has a profound impact on our spiritual, moral, and ethical development. Choosing to associate with wicked individuals can lead us astray, distance us from the remembrance of Allah, and expose us to the temptations of Satan.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, advises us to be cautious in our selection of companions. He reminds us that one of the worst choices we can make is to surround ourselves with the wicked. By doing so, we risk compromising our values, tarnishing our character, and straying from the path of righteousness.

Therefore, as Muslims, it is essential for us to carefully choose our companions, seeking those who are righteous, pious, and devoted to the teachings of Islam. By surrounding ourselves with individuals who inspire us towards goodness, we can strengthen our faith, enhance our moral character, and strive towards attaining the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah guide us in making wise choices and protect us from the influence of the wicked.