Hadith #6659

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the actions of those who pretend to be our friends but actually harbor ill intentions towards us. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be cautious of those who hide our faults when we are present but expose them when we are absent. Such individuals are our true enemies, and we should be wary of their deceitful nature.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some important words. The word (sataraka) "ساتَرَكَ" means to conceal or hide, while (aybaka) "عَيْبَكَ" refers to one's faults or shortcomings. On the other hand, (aabaka) "عابَكَ" means to expose or criticize, and (ghaybika) "غَيْبِكَ" refers to one's absence or when they are not present.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of sincerity and loyalty in our relationships. It warns us against those who pretend to be our well-wishers but secretly harbor negative feelings towards us. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true friends are those who protect our honor and dignity, even in our absence.

The Quran supports this teaching of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in several verses. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

This verse highlights the importance of avoiding negative assumptions, spying, and backbiting, which are all actions that go against the spirit of sincere friendship.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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.

This verse reminds us to refrain from ridiculing or insulting others, as it is a form of disrespect and can damage relationships.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for us to be cautious of those who engage in backbiting and expose our faults in our absence. Such individuals may smile and pretend to be our friends when we are present, but their true intentions are revealed when they speak ill of us behind our backs. Their actions not only harm our reputation but also sow discord and mistrust among people.

We should strive to emulate the qualities of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our interactions with others. He was known for his wisdom, knowledge, and impeccable character. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) always protected the honor and dignity of others, even his enemies. He demonstrated this noble trait during the Battle of Khandaq when he spared the life of his opponent, Amr ibn Abd Wudd, after defeating him in combat. This act of mercy and forgiveness exemplifies the teachings of Islam and the importance of treating others with respect and kindness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for us to be cautious of those who pretend to be our friends but secretly harbor ill intentions towards us. We should strive to cultivate sincere and trustworthy relationships, always protecting the honor and dignity of others, even in their absence. By following the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can foster an environment of love, trust, and unity among Muslims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in our interactions and grant us the wisdom to discern true friends from false ones.