Hadith #2745

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of expressing joy and happiness only to those who are close friends. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (wise person) "حَكِيم", (expresses) "ابْتَذَلَ", (his joy) "انْبِسَاطِهِ", and (to one who is not his close friend) "غَيْرِ حَمِيم".

The word "حَكِيم" refers to a person who possesses wisdom and understanding. In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes Himself as Al-Hakim, the All-Wise. Wisdom is a quality that is highly esteemed in Islam, and it is attained through knowledge, experience, and understanding of the teachings of Allah and His Messenger.

The term "ابْتَذَلَ" means to express or show. In this context, it refers to the act of expressing joy or happiness. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the importance of being cautious and selective in expressing one's joy.

The phrase "انْبِسَاطِهِ" refers to one's joy or happiness. It signifies the state of being joyful or delighted. It is natural for humans to experience joy and happiness, but Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be mindful of how and to whom we express these emotions.

The phrase "غَيْرِ حَمِيم" translates to

to one who is not his close friend.

It implies that one should not express their joy to someone who is not a trusted and intimate friend. This highlights the importance of maintaining privacy and not sharing personal matters with those who may not have our best interests at heart.

To further understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8),

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.

This verse teaches us the importance of treating others with kindness and justice, even if they do not share our beliefs or values. However, it does not mean that we should share our personal joys and sorrows with everyone. The act of expressing joy should be reserved for those who are close to us, as they are the ones who genuinely care for our well-being.

Another verse that supports the wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement is found in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse teaches us to seek Allah's guidance and support in all aspects of our lives. It reminds us to be mindful of our actions and to seek His blessings in both our entrances and exits. By expressing our joy only to close friends, we ensure that our happiness is protected and cherished by those who truly care for us.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is guiding us to be discerning in our interactions and to prioritize the well-being of our close friends. By doing so, we maintain the sanctity of our personal joys and protect ourselves from potential harm or envy from those who may not have our best interests at heart.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of wisdom and discretion in expressing our joy. It teaches us to be selective in sharing our happiness, reserving it for those who are close to us and will genuinely rejoice with us. By following this advice, we protect our personal joys and maintain the sanctity of our relationships. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to act in accordance with His teachings and the guidance of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).