Hadith #6474

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all 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, "العِتابُ حَياةُ المَوَدَّةِ" which translates to

Goodwill [and friendly admonishment] is the life of friendship [and affection].

This enlightening saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of offering sincere advice and guidance to maintain and strengthen the bonds of love and friendship among Muslims.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith. (Al-'Itab) "العِتابُ" refers to goodwill, friendly admonishment, or constructive criticism. It involves advising someone with kindness and sincerity, aiming to rectify their actions or behavior for their own betterment. (Hayat) "حَياةُ" means life, existence, or vitality. And (Al-Mawaddah) "المَوَدَّةِ" signifies friendship, affection, or love.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of advising one another in Surah Al-Asr, where He says, (Quran 103:1-3)

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience

This verse highlights the role of advising one another towards truth and patience as a means of salvation.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages Muslims to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong in Surah Al-Imran, stating, (Quran 3:110)

You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah

This verse emphasizes the duty of Muslims to guide and advise one another towards righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith further emphasizes the importance of offering friendly admonishment and constructive criticism within the framework of love and friendship. It highlights that true friendship is not merely based on superficial pleasantries, but rather on a genuine concern for the well-being and improvement of one another.

When we offer sincere advice and guidance to our fellow Muslims, we contribute to their personal growth and development. By doing so, we strengthen the bonds of love and friendship within the Muslim community. This Hadith reminds us that true friendship is not limited to offering compliments and praise, but also involves guiding one another towards righteousness and rectification.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, exemplified this principle throughout his life. He would offer sincere advice and admonishment to his companions and followers, always striving to guide them towards the path of righteousness. His approach was rooted in love and concern for their spiritual well-being, as he understood that true friendship goes beyond mere surface-level interactions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that goodwill and friendly admonishment are essential for the vitality and growth of friendships and affection among Muslims. It reminds us of the duty to offer sincere advice and guidance to one another, with the intention of helping each other improve and grow closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By embodying this principle, we can foster stronger bonds of love and friendship within the Muslim community, contributing to the overall betterment of society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and compassion to fulfill this duty and strengthen our relationships with one another.