Hadith #4301

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to never have hope in the favor of someone who makes us feel obliged, and to not rely upon the fool and the traitor. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (fazl) "فَضْلَ" in the hadith refers to the favor or kindness shown by someone. It is important to note that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is cautioning us against placing our hope and trust in those who make us feel obliged by their favors. This is because such individuals may use their acts of kindness as a means of manipulation or control over us. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in the Quran about the dangers of relying on others for our well-being:

(Quran 65:3)

And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises us to not rely upon the fool and the traitor. The word (ahmaq) "أحْمَقَ" refers to someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, while the word (khaawan) "خَوَّانَ" refers to a traitor or a deceitful person. These individuals cannot be trusted as they may deceive us or act against our best interests. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in the Quran about the consequences of relying on those who are untrustworthy:

(Quran 49:6)

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this hadith is a reminder for us to be cautious in our relationships and interactions with others. We should not be blinded by the favors or kindness shown by someone, as it may be a means of manipulation. Similarly, we should not place our trust in those who lack wisdom or have a history of deceitful behavior.

This hadith also highlights the importance of discernment and critical thinking in our interactions with others. We should investigate and verify the information we receive, rather than blindly accepting it. This is in line with the Quranic teachings that emphasize the importance of seeking knowledge and using our intellect:

(Quran 39:9)

Say, 'Are those who know equal to those who do not know?' Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith serves as a reminder for us to be cautious in our relationships and interactions. We should not place our hope and trust in those who make us feel obliged, nor should we rely upon the fool and the traitor. Instead, we should seek guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and use our intellect to discern the true intentions of others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and understanding to navigate our relationships with wisdom and discernment.