Hadith #6649

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ أظْهَرَ عَداوَتَهُ قَلَّ كَيْدُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever manifests his enmity, his stratagems are reduced.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (azhara) "أظْهَرَ" means to openly display or manifest. It refers to the act of making one's enmity known and apparent to others. The word (adaawatahu) "عَداوَتَهُ" means enmity or hostility. It signifies a deep-rooted animosity towards someone. Finally, the word (kayduhu) "كَيْدُهُ" means stratagems or schemes. It refers to the cunning and deceitful tactics employed by an individual to harm others.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 emphasizes the importance of treating even those who are not Muslims with fairness and justice. It teaches us to maintain good relations and avoid enmity.

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

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 highlights the importance of avoiding mockery, insults, and offensive behavior towards others. It encourages us to maintain respect and dignity in our interactions.

Based on these Quranic verses, we can understand the exegesis of the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). When someone openly displays their enmity towards others, their cunning and deceitful schemes are diminished. This is because their actions are exposed and their true intentions become evident to those around them. By manifesting enmity, they lose the element of surprise and their ability to harm others through covert means.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, is teaching us the importance of sincerity and transparency in our dealings with others. When we openly display our enmity, we are held accountable for our actions and are unable to deceive or harm others through hidden agendas. This Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims to avoid enmity and to strive for justice, fairness, and respect in all our interactions.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that it is not in our best interest to harbor enmity or engage in deceitful tactics. Instead, we should strive to foster unity, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. By doing so, we can create an environment of trust and harmony, where the stratagems of those who seek to harm others are diminished.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the wisdom to manifest love, compassion, and justice in our interactions with others. Ameen.