Hadith #673

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "بِئسَ الصَّديقُ المَلولُ." This can be translated as,

The worst friend is the one who is [easily] fed up.

Let us delve into the essence of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (sadiq) "صَديقُ" in this Hadith refers to a friend or companion. It is important to note that the term "صَديقُ" is derived from the root word "صَدَقَ" which means truthfulness and sincerity. Therefore, a true friend is someone who is sincere, trustworthy, and loyal.

The word (malool) "مَلولُ" in this Hadith is translated as "easily fed up." It refers to a person who quickly becomes disheartened, impatient, or loses interest in maintaining a friendship. Such an individual lacks patience and perseverance, making them an undesirable companion.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong bonds of friendship and warns against severing them due to trivial matters. Allah says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10),

The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

This verse highlights the unity and brotherhood among Muslims, emphasizing the need for maintaining harmonious relationships.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages Muslims to forgive and overlook the faults of others. In Surah An-Nur (24:22), Allah says,

And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse teaches us the importance of forgiveness and tolerance in our friendships, reminding us not to be easily fed up with our companions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the negative consequences of being a friend who is easily fed up. Such a person lacks the qualities of patience, understanding, and empathy, which are essential for maintaining strong and lasting friendships. They may abandon their friends at the first sign of difficulty or disagreement, causing harm to the relationship and potentially severing the bond altogether.

In contrast, a true friend is someone who remains steadfast and supportive, even in challenging times. They possess the qualities of patience, resilience, and compassion, enabling them to navigate through the ups and downs of friendship. They understand that disagreements and differences are a natural part of any relationship and are willing to work through them, rather than giving up easily.

Reflecting on Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement, we should strive to be friends who embody the qualities of patience, understanding, and forgiveness. We should be willing to invest time and effort into our friendships, nurturing them with love, kindness, and compassion. By doing so, we can strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood within the Muslim community and contribute to a harmonious society.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to be true friends, always seeking to strengthen our relationships and support one another. May He bless us with patience and understanding, enabling us to overcome challenges and maintain lasting friendships. Ameen.