Hadith #4614

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

When the one who renounces worldly pleasures seeks people, flee from him.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of being cautious when someone who claims to be detached from worldly desires seeks the company of others. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (zahid) "زاهِد" in Arabic refers to someone who renounces worldly pleasures and focuses on the spiritual aspects of life. This person is detached from material possessions and seeks closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). However, it is important to note that not all who claim to be zahid are truly detached from the world. Some individuals may use this claim as a disguise to gain the trust and admiration of others.

To understand the wisdom behind Imam Ali's advice to flee from such individuals, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Hujurat (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.

This verse reminds us to be cautious and not to blindly trust anyone who presents themselves as righteous or detached from worldly desires.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:4), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the hypocrites, saying,

And when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech. [They are] as if they were pieces of wood propped up - they think that every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?

This verse highlights the deceptive nature of hypocrites who may appear righteous on the surface but are actually harmful to the community.

Imam Ali's advice to flee from those who claim to be zahid when seeking the company of others is rooted in the Quranic teachings of caution and discernment. By doing so, we protect ourselves from potential harm and maintain the purity of our faith.

It is important to note that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom. His words were based on his deep understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Therefore, his advice should be heeded by all Muslims, regardless of their sect or school of thought.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to be cautious when someone who claims to be detached from worldly pleasures seeks the company of others. By fleeing from such individuals, we protect ourselves from potential harm and maintain the purity of our faith. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern between true righteousness and false pretenses.