Hadith #6768

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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,

فِي اعْتِزالِ أبْناءِ الدُّنيا جِماعُ الصَّلاحِ۔

This can be translated as,

In seclusion from the worldly people there is accumulation of goodness.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this amazing Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Firstly, it is important to understand the key words in this Hadith. (i'tizal) "اعْتِزالِ" refers to seclusion or withdrawal from the company of worldly individuals. (abna' al-dunya) "أبْناءِ الدُّنيا" refers to the people who are engrossed in worldly affairs, those who prioritize materialistic pursuits over spiritual growth. And finally, (jama' al-salah) "جِماعُ الصَّلاحِ" means the accumulation or gathering of goodness.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Kahf (18:28), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.

This verse emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with righteous individuals who are devoted to the worship of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By secluding oneself from those who are solely focused on worldly matters, one can find solace and spiritual growth. It is in the company of the pious that one can accumulate goodness and strengthen their connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:68), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.

This verse highlights the importance of distancing oneself from those who engage in negative or offensive discussions about the verses of Allah. By withdrawing from such company, one can protect their faith and avoid being influenced by harmful ideologies. This act of seclusion allows for the preservation of one's spiritual well-being and the accumulation of goodness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of the company they keep. It encourages us to prioritize our spiritual growth and seek companionship with those who are devoted to the worship of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By distancing ourselves from the distractions and temptations of the materialistic world, we can focus on accumulating goodness and strengthening our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Seclusion from the worldly people does not mean complete isolation from society. It means being selective in the company we keep and surrounding ourselves with individuals who inspire us to be better Muslims. By doing so, we can create an environment that nurtures our faith and enables us to grow spiritually.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the importance of seclusion from those who prioritize worldly pursuits over spiritual growth. By choosing our companions wisely and surrounding ourselves with the righteous, we can accumulate goodness and strengthen our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in our quest for spiritual excellence and grant us the wisdom to choose companions who will aid us in our journey towards Him.