Hadith #751

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Praise be to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and his righteous companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the dangers of befriending a wicked person, emphasizing that such an individual would easily betray their friendship for the most worthless of things. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its essence and significance.

The key words in this Hadith are (befriending a wicked person) "مُصادَقَةَ الفاجِرِ" and (sell his friendship for the most worthless of things)

يَبيعُ مُصادِقَهُ بِالتَّافِهِ المُحتَقَرِ

The term (wicked person) "فاجِر" refers to someone who is morally corrupt, deviating from the path of righteousness and indulging in sinful actions. Befriending such an individual can have detrimental effects on one's own spiritual well-being and moral compass.

To understand the gravity of this warning, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) cautions the believers by saying,

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

This verse highlights the importance of surrounding ourselves with righteous companions who encourage us towards goodness, while avoiding those who lead us astray.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Furqan (25:28), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the Day of Judgment, saying,

And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, 'Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way.'

This verse serves as a reminder that the company we keep can have a profound impact on our ultimate fate. Befriending a wicked person can lead us down a path of regret and remorse, distancing us from the guidance of the Messenger (ﷺ) and the righteous path.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warning about the wicked person selling his friendship for the most worthless of things highlights the lack of loyalty and integrity in such individuals. They are willing to betray their friends and compromise their values for trivial gains or temporary pleasures.

This concept is echoed in the Quran in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with respect and refraining from betraying their trust or ridiculing them. It reminds us that true worth lies in righteousness and character, not in material possessions or temporary pleasures.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound warning serves as a reminder for Muslims to carefully choose their companions and friends. We should seek out individuals who embody piety, righteousness, and moral uprightness. By surrounding ourselves with such individuals, we can strengthen our faith, seek guidance, and support one another on the path of righteousness.

On the other hand, befriending a wicked person can lead to moral decay, spiritual downfall, and a deviation from the teachings of Islam. Their lack of integrity and willingness to betray friendships for trivial gains should serve as a clear warning for Muslims to distance themselves from such individuals.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) cautions Muslims against befriending wicked individuals who lack moral integrity. It reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with righteous companions who encourage us towards goodness and help us stay on the path of righteousness. By heeding this warning, we can safeguard our faith, protect our moral compass, and strive to attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in choosing our companions wisely and protect us from the influence of wicked individuals.