Hadith #656

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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:

صَديقُكَ مَنْ نهاكَ، وعدُوُّكَ مَنْ أغراكَ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

Your friend is one who forbids you [from evil] and your enemy is one who entices you [to perform evil].

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (sadeequka) "صَديقُكَ" refers to your friend, someone who is close to you and shares a bond of trust and loyalty. This friend is not just a companion in times of ease and comfort, but also in times of difficulty and hardship. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that a true friend is the one who advises and guides you away from evil. They are the ones who remind you of your duties towards Allah and encourage you to follow the path of righteousness.

This concept of a true friend who guides and advises is beautifully highlighted in the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:3),

Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds and advise each other to truth and advise each other to patience.

Here, Allah emphasizes the importance of advising one another towards truth and patience, which are essential qualities for a true friend.

On the other hand, the word (aduwwuka) "عدُوُّكَ" refers to your enemy, someone who opposes you and seeks to lead you astray from the path of righteousness. This enemy is not just someone who openly declares hostility, but also someone who subtly entices and tempts you towards evil. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us to be cautious of such individuals who may appear friendly, but their intentions are to lead us away from the straight path.

The Quran also emphasizes the importance of being cautious of those who may lead us astray. In Surah Al-Anfal (8:28), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.

This verse reminds us that the worldly attractions and temptations can be a test for us, and it is crucial to be aware of those who may try to entice us towards evil.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement holds profound wisdom and guidance for us as Muslims. It reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with righteous friends who will guide us towards goodness and remind us of our duties towards Allah. These friends will help us stay on the straight path and protect us from falling into the traps of Satan.

Conversely, it also serves as a reminder to be cautious of those who may appear friendly but have ulterior motives. These individuals may try to entice us towards sinful actions and lead us away from the path of righteousness. It is essential to be vigilant and seek refuge in Allah from such temptations.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith teaches us the importance of choosing our friends wisely and being cautious of those who may lead us astray. It reminds us to seek guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in order to distinguish between true friends and those who may deceive us. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to choose righteous companions and protect us from the influence of those who seek to lead us astray.