Hadith #272

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he provides us with valuable insights into the nature of friendship and enmity. Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

Firstly, the word (sadeequka) "صَدِيقُكَ" refers to your own friend, someone who is close to you and shares a bond of trust and loyalty. This person is someone you can rely on and confide in. The Quran emphasizes the importance of such friendships in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 8:

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

The second term, (sadeequ sadeeqika) "صَدِيقُ صَدِيقِكَ", refers to the friend of your friend. This person may not be directly connected to you, but their friendship with your friend indirectly affects your relationship with them. The Quran encourages us to maintain good relations with those who are connected to our friends, as mentioned in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 10:

Indeed, the believers are brothers. So make peace between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

The third term, (aduwwu aduwwika) "عَدُوُّ عَدُوِّكَ", refers to your enemy's enemy. This person shares a common adversary with you, and their enmity towards your enemy aligns with your own interests. The Quran highlights the importance of standing against those who oppose the truth in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 9:

Allah only forbids you from those who fight you because of religion and expel you from your homes and aid in your expulsion - [forbids] that you make allies of them. And whoever makes allies of them, then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

Now, let us turn our attention to the enemies mentioned in the Hadith. The first term, (aduwuka) "عَدُوُّكَ", refers to your direct enemy, someone who harbors ill intentions towards you and seeks to harm you. The Quran advises us to respond to such enmity with patience and forgiveness, as stated in Surah Fussilat, verse 34:

And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.

The second term, (aduwwu sadeeqika) "عَدُوُّ صَدِيقِكَ", refers to the enemy of your friend. This person may not have any direct animosity towards you, but their enmity towards your friend can potentially affect your relationship with them. The Quran urges us to be cautious of such individuals and to seek reconciliation, as mentioned in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 11:

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

Lastly, the term (sadeequ aduwwika) "صَدِيقُ عَدُوِّكَ" refers to the friend of your enemy. This person may not have any direct hostility towards you, but their friendship with your enemy can potentially impact your relationship with them. The Quran advises us to be cautious of such individuals and to maintain our integrity and righteousness, as stated in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 1:

O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth, having driven out the Prophet and yourselves [only] because you believe in Allah, your Lord. If you have come out for jihad in My cause and seeking means to My approval, [take them not as friends]. You confide to them affection, but I am most knowing of what you have concealed and what you have declared. And whoever does it among you has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with valuable guidance on the nature of friendship and enmity. It reminds us to choose our friends wisely, to maintain good relations with those connected to our friends, and to be cautious of those who oppose the truth. It also emphasizes the importance of patience, forgiveness, and maintaining our integrity in the face of enmity. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern true friends from foes and guide us on the path of righteousness.