Hadith #761

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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 maintaining good character and conduct towards others, especially in difficult situations. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith, exploring its meanings and implications in light of the Quran.

The Hadith begins with the instruction to

bring yourself to be polite to your brother when he is harsh to you.

Here, the word (اللّينِ) "polite" refers to responding with gentleness, kindness, and patience, even when faced with harshness or hostility. This teaching aligns with the Quranic command in Surah Al-Fussilat (41:34), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Repel evil with that which is better; then indeed, the one whom between you and him is enmity will become as though he was a devoted friend.

Furthermore, the Hadith advises us to

build ties [with our brother] when he cuts us off.

This encourages us to maintain and strengthen our relationships, even when they are strained or severed. The Quran beautifully emphasizes the importance of maintaining family ties in Surah An-Nisa (4:1), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And fear Allah through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed, Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.

Moreover, the Hadith instructs us to

be generous [with our brother] when he is niggardly.

This means that we should be generous and giving, even when others are stingy or reluctant to share. This teaching aligns with the Quranic command in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And say: 'My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.'

Lastly, the Hadith advises us to

tolerate what our brother does and keep relations with him.

This means that we should exercise patience and forbearance, even when our brother's actions may be difficult to bear. The Quranic teaching in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:9) beautifully captures this sentiment, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us the importance of maintaining good character and conduct, even in the face of adversity. By responding with kindness, building and maintaining relationships, being generous, and practicing patience, we can foster harmony and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood within the Muslim community.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound knowledge and wisdom shine through in this Hadith, as he guides us to emulate the noble qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt. May we strive to embody these teachings in our daily lives, and may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to follow the path of righteousness.