Hadith #1276

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 pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of love and hate in completing a servant's faith. Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith.

The word (iman) "إيمان" refers to faith or belief in Allah and His teachings. It encompasses both belief in the heart and actions that manifest this belief. The word (abd) "عَبْد" means servant, indicating that this Hadith is addressing all Muslims, regardless of their social status or position.

The word (yuhibbu) "يُحِبَّ" means to love, and (yubghida) "يُبْغِضَ" means to hate. These words signify strong emotions and preferences towards someone or something. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to the love and hate that a believer should have based on Allah's preferences.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that a servant's faith is incomplete until they love those whom Allah loves and hate those whom Allah hates. This means that our love and hate should be in accordance with the divine will and guidance.

To understand the significance of this teaching, let us turn to the Quran for further guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:31):

Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'

This verse highlights the importance of loving Allah and following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). By loving Allah and following His guidance, we earn His love and forgiveness. Therefore, it is crucial for a believer to love those whom Allah loves, as they are the ones who follow His commands and embody His teachings.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:22):

You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred.

This verse emphasizes that true believers cannot have affection or love for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger. Our love and loyalty should be reserved for those who are on the path of righteousness and obedience to Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to align their emotions and preferences with the divine will. We should love those who are beloved to Allah, such as the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and the righteous companions. Conversely, we should hate those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, as well as those who spread corruption and injustice.

This teaching has profound implications for our relationships and interactions with others. It motivates us to seek the company of the righteous, to emulate their virtues, and to distance ourselves from those who promote evil. It encourages us to prioritize our love and loyalty based on the values and principles of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that our faith is incomplete until we align our love and hate with the preferences of Allah. By loving those whom Allah loves and hating those whom Allah hates, we demonstrate our commitment to following His guidance and seeking His pleasure. May Allah guide us to love and hate for His sake and grant us complete faith.