Hadith #788

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,

Manistafsada sadiqahu naqasa min 'adadihi.

This Hadith carries a beautiful message about the importance of maintaining good relationships with our friends and the consequences of spoiling those relationships.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. "Manistafsada" means "one who spoils" or "corrupts." "Sadiqahu" refers to "his friend" or "his companion." And "naqasa min 'adadihi" means

has reduced his own number.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of maintaining good relationships with others in several verses. For example, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10), Allah says,

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

This verse highlights the unity and brotherhood among believers and encourages them to reconcile any conflicts that may arise.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2), Allah states,

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.

This verse emphasizes the importance of cooperation and mutual support in acts of righteousness, while warning against engaging in sinful behavior or causing harm to others.

Now, let us delve into the exegesis of the Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that when we spoil our relationship with a friend or companion, we are actually diminishing our own worth or value. This can be understood in various ways.

Firstly, maintaining good relationships is a fundamental aspect of our faith. Islam places great emphasis on the importance of brotherhood and unity among Muslims. When we spoil our relationship with a friend, we are going against the teachings of Islam and distancing ourselves from the values of compassion, forgiveness, and kindness that our religion promotes.

Secondly, our relationships with others have a direct impact on our own personal growth and development. When we have healthy and positive relationships, we are more likely to be influenced by the good qualities and virtues of our friends. Conversely, when we spoil our relationships, we isolate ourselves and miss out on the opportunity to learn from others and improve ourselves.

Additionally, spoiling a relationship can lead to a loss of trust and support. Friends are meant to be a source of comfort, guidance, and assistance. When we spoil our relationship with a friend, we lose the support system that they provide. This can have negative consequences on our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Moreover, spoiling a relationship can also lead to a negative perception of ourselves in the eyes of others. Our reputation is often built upon the way we treat others and the quality of our relationships. When we spoil a relationship, we risk damaging our reputation and losing the respect and trust of others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to value and nurture their relationships with others. By maintaining good relationships, we not only uphold the teachings of Islam but also benefit ourselves in numerous ways. We should strive to be kind, forgiving, and compassionate towards our friends and companions, and avoid any actions or behaviors that may spoil these relationships. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be the best versions of ourselves and grant us the wisdom to maintain strong and healthy relationships with others.