Hadith #6682

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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) states,

The weakest of enemies in plotting is the one who manifests his enmity.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (awhanu) "أوْهَنُ" in the Hadith refers to the weakest or feeblest. It signifies the lack of strength, power, or effectiveness. The word (al-a'daa) "الأعْداءِ" means enemies, those who harbor ill intentions or animosity towards someone. (kaydan) "كَيْداً" translates to plotting or scheming, indicating the malicious intentions of the enemies. Lastly, (man athara 'adawatahu) "مَنْ أظْهَرَ عَداوَتَهُ" means the one who openly manifests his enmity.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can 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 highlights the importance of maintaining justice and fairness even towards those who do not harbor enmity towards us. It teaches us that we should not let our personal biases or emotions cloud our judgment when dealing with others. By treating everyone fairly, we weaken the plots and schemes of our enemies, as they cannot find any legitimate grounds to accuse us of injustice.

Furthermore, the Quran emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. In Surah Al-Fussilat (41:34), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Good and evil are not equal. Repel evil with what is better. Then the one who was your enemy will become your dearest friend.

This verse encourages us to respond to enmity with kindness and forgiveness. By doing so, we not only weaken the plots of our enemies but also have the potential to turn them into allies and friends. This approach is a manifestation of the strength of character and wisdom that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed.

Imam Ali's statement reminds us of the importance of maintaining composure and wisdom in the face of enmity. When we openly manifest our enmity, we give our enemies a clear target and make it easier for them to plot against us. However, by responding with patience, kindness, and justice, we weaken their ability to harm us.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences. If we respond to enmity with enmity, we perpetuate a cycle of hatred and animosity. On the other hand, if we respond with wisdom and kindness, we have the potential to break that cycle and foster a culture of peace and reconciliation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of responding to enmity with wisdom, justice, and kindness. By doing so, we weaken the plots and schemes of our enemies and create opportunities for reconciliation and friendship. Let us strive to embody these qualities in our interactions with others, following the example set by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and guided by the teachings of the Quran.