Hadith #10846

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:

لاتَرْغَبَنَّ في مَوَدَّةِ مَنْ لَمْ تَكْشِفْهُ۔

This can be translated as:

Do not be keen in befriending a person whose true nature you have not known.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (mawaddah) "مَوَدَّةِ" refers to friendship, affection, or love. It implies a deep bond and closeness between individuals. The word (lam takshifhu) "لَمْ تَكْشِفْهُ" means

you have not known.

It signifies the need to have a clear understanding of someone's true character, intentions, and values before forming a close friendship with them.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of being cautious and discerning when it comes to choosing our friends. It advises us not to rush into friendships without truly knowing the person we are befriending. It urges us to be mindful of the potential consequences of forming close relationships with individuals whose true nature remains hidden from us.

To further understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6):

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse highlights the importance of verifying information and not blindly accepting it. Similarly, in the context of friendship, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to be hasty in forming close bonds with individuals whose true nature we have not uncovered. Just as we are encouraged to investigate the validity of information, we should also strive to understand the true character and intentions of those we choose to befriend.

Another Quranic verse that supports the wisdom of this Hadith is found 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 emphasizes the importance of treating others with justice and righteousness, regardless of their religious beliefs. However, it does not negate the need for discernment and caution when forming close friendships. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to be mindful of the true nature of individuals before developing deep bonds of friendship, as it is through such discernment that we can act justly and righteously towards others.

The exegesis of this Hadith encourages us to reflect on the consequences of befriending individuals without truly knowing their character. By rushing into friendships without proper understanding, we risk aligning ourselves with people who may not share our values, principles, or goals. This can lead to negative influences, misunderstandings, and even harm.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, advises us to exercise caution and discernment in our friendships. He reminds us that true friendship is built on trust, shared values, and mutual respect. By taking the time to understand someone's true nature before forming a close bond, we can ensure that our friendships are based on genuine connections and contribute positively to our lives.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of being cautious and discerning when it comes to choosing our friends. It reminds us to seek a deep understanding of someone's true character before forming close bonds. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from negative influences, misunderstandings, and harm, and instead foster friendships that are based on trust, shared values, and mutual respect. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in forming meaningful and beneficial friendships.