Hadith #11313

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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 advises us not to prioritize our family and children above all else. He reminds us that if our loved ones are friends of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), then Allah will never abandon them. On the other hand, if they are enemies of Allah, then we should not concern ourselves with them.

Let us delve deeper into the important words of this Hadith. The word (akbar) "أكْبَرَ" means "greatest" or "most important." It emphasizes the need to not prioritize our family and children above everything else in our lives. The word (hammika) "هَمِّكَ" refers to our concerns or worries. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to not let our concerns for our family and children become our primary focus.

To understand the wisdom behind this advice, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah At-Tawbah, verse 24:

Say, [O Muhammad], if your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.

This verse highlights the importance of not prioritizing our family and worldly possessions above our love for Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). Our ultimate concern should be our relationship with Allah and striving in His cause. If we become too preoccupied with our family and children, we may neglect our spiritual duties and lose sight of our purpose in this world.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that if our loved ones are friends of Allah, then Allah will never forsake them. This is a reminder of Allah's promise in the Quran. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 160, Allah says:

If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.

Allah is the ultimate protector and supporter of His righteous servants. If our family and children are truly friends of Allah, then we can trust in His divine care and guidance. We should have faith that Allah will always be there for them, even if we are not able to fulfill all their needs and desires.

On the other hand, if our loved ones are enemies of Allah, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to concern ourselves with them. This does not mean that we should abandon them or treat them with animosity. Rather, it means that we should not prioritize their interests over our own spiritual growth and obedience to Allah.

Allah warns us in the Quran about the consequences of being attached to those who oppose Him. In Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 1, Allah says:

O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth.

By prioritizing our relationship with Allah and focusing on our own spiritual development, we can be a positive influence on our family and children. Our actions and devotion to Allah can inspire them to turn towards Him and become friends of Allah themselves. However, if they persist in their enmity towards Allah, we should not let their actions and choices consume us.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to not make our family and children our greatest concern. Our ultimate priority should be our relationship with Allah and our commitment to His guidance. If our loved ones are friends of Allah, we can trust in His divine care for them. And if they are enemies of Allah, we should not let their actions consume us. May Allah guide us to prioritize our spiritual growth and grant us the wisdom to navigate our relationships with love and righteousness.