Hadith #9374

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.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

طالِبُ الخَيْرِ مِنَ اللِّئامِ مَحْرُومٌ۔

This can be translated into English as:

The one who seeks good from vile people is deprived of it.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (taalib) "طالِبُ" means

the one who seeks

or "the seeker." (al-khayr) "الخَيْرِ" refers to "goodness" or "virtue." (mina) "مِنَ" means "from" or "out of." (al-li'aam) "اللِّئامِ" refers to "vile people" or "wicked individuals." And finally, (mahroom) "مَحْرُومٌ" means "deprived" or "denied."

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:47):

And do not be like those who came forth from their homes insolently and to be seen by people and avert [them] from the way of Allah.

This verse highlights the importance of surrounding ourselves with righteous individuals and avoiding the company of those who may lead us astray.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises the believers:

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with fairness and justice, even if they may not share our beliefs or values.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement. The Hadith warns us against seeking goodness or virtue from wicked individuals. This does not mean that we should completely cut off ties with them, as the Quran encourages us to be just and fair towards all people. However, it cautions us against relying on them for guidance or expecting them to lead us towards righteousness.

When we seek goodness from vile people, we expose ourselves to their negative influence and may be led astray from the path of Allah. Their corrupt values and actions can taint our own character and compromise our moral compass. Therefore, it is essential for us to be cautious and discerning in the company we keep and the sources from which we seek guidance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful Hadith serves as a reminder for us to surround ourselves with righteous individuals who can inspire and guide us towards goodness. By seeking knowledge and guidance from those who possess deep understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), we can ensure that our pursuit of goodness is not hindered or compromised.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us against seeking goodness from wicked individuals. It reminds us to be discerning in the company we keep and the sources from which we seek guidance. By surrounding ourselves with righteous individuals and seeking knowledge from them, we can safeguard our faith and ensure that our pursuit of goodness remains steadfast. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the straight path and protect us from the influence of those who may lead us astray.