Hadith #889

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,

مَنْ دَعاكَ إلى الدَّارِ الباقِيَةِ وأعانَكَ علَى العَمَلِ لَها فَهُوَ الصَّديقُ الشَّفيقُ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of having a friend who not only calls you towards the Eternal Abode but also assists you in working for it. Such a friend is described as a "caring friend" or a "compassionate friend."

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights the importance of righteous actions and mutual advice towards truth and patience. It emphasizes the significance of having friends who guide us towards the path of righteousness and eternal success.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:28), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) tells us the story of Prophet Moses (Musa) and Khidr (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). When Khidr performed actions that seemed strange to Moses, he explained, (18:82)

And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience.

This verse illustrates the concept of a caring friend who assists others in their pursuit of righteousness and helps them attain their rightful blessings.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith encourages us to seek friends who not only call us towards the Eternal Abode but also actively support us in our efforts to work for it. Such friends are those who remind us of our ultimate purpose in life, encourage us to perform good deeds, and provide assistance in our spiritual journey. They are compassionate and caring, always striving to guide us towards righteousness and eternal success.

Having such friends is essential for our spiritual growth and development. They serve as a source of motivation, inspiration, and support. They remind us of our responsibilities towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and help us stay steadfast on the path of righteousness. They are there to lend a helping hand when we face challenges or difficulties, and they encourage us to persevere with patience and trust in Allah's plan.

On the other hand, if we surround ourselves with friends who do not prioritize the Eternal Abode and do not actively assist us in our spiritual journey, we may find ourselves easily swayed by worldly distractions and temptations. Such friends may unintentionally lead us astray or hinder our progress towards attaining eternal success.

Reflecting on Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith, we should strive to be the caring friend that he describes. We should actively call others towards the Eternal Abode and assist them in their pursuit of righteousness. By doing so, we not only fulfill our own duty towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) but also contribute to the spiritual growth and well-being of our fellow Muslims.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the importance of having a caring friend who not only calls us towards the Eternal Abode but also assists us in working for it. This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the significance of righteous actions, mutual advice towards truth and patience, and the role of caring friends in guiding us towards eternal success. As Muslims, let us strive to be the compassionate and supportive friends that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes, and let us seek such friends in our own lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bless us with righteous companionship and guide us all towards the Eternal Abode.