Hadith #5079

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the dangers of surrounding ourselves with evil. The key words in this Hadith are (surrounding yourself with evil) "مُلابَسَةَ الشَّرِّ". The word "مُلابَسَةَ" comes from the root word "لَبَسَ" which means to wear or to surround oneself with. And "الشَّرِّ" refers to evil or harm.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be cautious and avoid immersing ourselves in evil, as it has detrimental effects on our own selves before it harms our enemies. This means that when we engage in evil actions or surround ourselves with evil influences, we are more likely to be affected by them first, before they have any impact on our adversaries. Evil has a way of corrupting our hearts, minds, and souls, leading us away from the path of righteousness.

To further understand the significance of this warning, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:24):

O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.

This verse emphasizes the importance of responding to the call of Allah and His Messenger, as it is through obedience to them that we find true life and spiritual fulfillment.

When we surround ourselves with evil, we distance ourselves from the call of Allah and His Messenger. Our hearts become veiled, and the connection between us and our Creator weakens. This separation from divine guidance can lead to the destruction of our religion, as mentioned in the Hadith. Our faith becomes compromised, and we may even begin to justify and engage in actions that are contrary to the teachings of Islam.

Another verse that sheds light on the consequences of immersing ourselves in evil is found in Surah Al-Hadid (57:16):

Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth?

This verse reminds us that as believers, it is our duty to humble ourselves and submit to the remembrance of Allah. Surrounding ourselves with evil distracts us from this remembrance and prevents our hearts from attaining true humility and submission.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for us as Muslims. It urges us to be mindful of the company we keep and the influences we allow into our lives. By avoiding evil and surrounding ourselves with goodness, we protect our faith and ensure that our actions align with the teachings of Islam. We must strive to create an environment that nurtures our spiritual growth and strengthens our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This requires making conscious choices in our daily lives, seeking knowledge, and surrounding ourselves with righteous individuals who inspire us to be better Muslims.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims to be cautious of surrounding ourselves with evil. By heeding this advice and striving to distance ourselves from harmful influences, we protect our faith, preserve our religion, and ensure that our actions are in accordance with the teachings of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the straight path and keep us steadfast in our pursuit of righteousness.