Hadith #10836

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:

ما أخْلَصَ المَوَدَّةَ مَنْ لَمْ يَنْصَحْ۔

This can be translated as:

One who does not give good advice is not sincere in his friendship.

In this beautiful Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of sincerity and good counsel in maintaining true friendship.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (mawaddah) "مَوَدَّةَ" refers to sincere friendship, love, and affection. It is a bond that goes beyond superficiality and is rooted in genuine care and concern for one another. The word (yansah) "يَنْصَحْ" means to give sincere advice, counsel, or guidance with the intention of benefiting the other person.

This Hadith resonates with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasizes the importance of sincere advice and counsel. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:3),

And enjoin upon one another the truth and enjoin upon one another patience.

This verse highlights the duty of Muslims to advise one another with truth and patience. It is through sincere advice that we can guide each other towards righteousness and protect one another from harm.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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

This verse emphasizes the unity and brotherhood among Muslims, and part of fulfilling this brotherhood is by offering sincere advice and guidance to one another.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the inseparable connection between sincere friendship and good advice. A true friend is not only someone who shares our joys and sorrows but also someone who sincerely advises us for our betterment. Such a friend is motivated by love and concern, seeking our success in this world and the hereafter.

When we fail to offer sincere advice, our friendship becomes superficial and lacks the depth that is necessary for growth and development. Without sincere advice, we may inadvertently enable harmful behaviors or overlook opportunities for improvement. True friendship requires us to be honest and sincere in our counsel, even if it may be difficult or uncomfortable.

By reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of being sincere in our friendships and relationships. We should strive to be the kind of friend who genuinely cares for others and offers sincere advice when needed. This not only benefits the individuals involved but also strengthens the bonds of brotherhood within the Muslim community.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true friendship is built upon sincerity and good advice. It reminds us of our duty as Muslims to offer sincere counsel and guidance to one another, seeking each other's betterment. Let us strive to be true friends who sincerely care for one another and actively contribute to each other's growth and success. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to fulfill this important aspect of our faith.