Hadith #863

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) states,

An evil companion is the worst of companions; and the disease of ignobility is a concealed disease.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of choosing righteous companions and the detrimental effects of associating with those who lead us astray.

Let us first delve into the key words of this Hadith. The term "قَرينُ السُّوءِ" refers to an evil companion or a bad company. The word "شَرُّ" denotes the worst or most harmful. "وَدَاءُ اللُّؤْمِ" translates to the disease of ignobility or the ailment of wickedness. Finally, "دَاءٌ دَفِينٌ" means a concealed disease.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 28, about the consequences of choosing the wrong companions:

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 ourselves with righteous individuals who remind us of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and strive to seek His pleasure. Such companions serve as a source of inspiration and guidance, helping us to remain steadfast on the path of righteousness.

On the other hand, associating with evil companions can have severe consequences. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Furqan, verse 28-29:

And [mention, O Muhammad], the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, 'Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way. Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a friend.'

These verses depict the regret and remorse of those who chose to befriend individuals who led them astray. The evil companions become a source of misery and despair for them, as they realize the grave consequences of their choices.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, warns us about the hidden dangers of associating with wicked individuals. The disease of ignobility, as mentioned in the Hadith, refers to the corrupting influence that evil companions can have on our character and morals. Just as a concealed disease slowly eats away at our physical health, the company of immoral individuals can gradually erode our spiritual well-being.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of carefully selecting our companions and surrounding ourselves with those who uplift and inspire us towards righteousness. We must be cautious of the company we keep, as it has a profound impact on our thoughts, actions, and ultimately, our destiny.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in choosing righteous companions and protect us from the harmful influence of evil companions. May He grant us the wisdom to recognize the concealed diseases of ignobility and enable us to purify our hearts and souls. Ameen.