Hadith #10845

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) states,

Do not grant your friendship to one who has no loyalty.

This amazing Hadith emphasizes the importance of choosing our friends wisely and being cautious in forming close relationships with those who lack loyalty.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (tamnahan) "تَمْنَحَنَّ" means to grant or bestow, while (wuddaka) "وُدَّكَ" refers to your friendship or love. The word (la wafa'a) "لاوَفاءَ" signifies loyalty or faithfulness, and (lahu) "لَهُ" means to him or to the person in question.

To comprehend the significance of loyalty in Islam, we turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:72),

Indeed, those who have believed and emigrated and fought with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allah and those who gave shelter and aided - they are allies of one another.

This verse highlights the importance of loyalty and alliance among the believers who support and protect one another.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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 fairness and justice, even if they do not share our religious beliefs. It implies that loyalty is not limited to those who share our faith but extends to all who deserve our trust and respect.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims to be cautious in forming friendships and alliances. It urges us to evaluate the loyalty and trustworthiness of individuals before granting them our friendship. This is because a friendship built on a foundation of disloyalty and deceit is bound to bring harm and disappointment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words are a reflection of his deep understanding of human nature and the importance of sincere relationships. By cautioning against granting friendship to those lacking loyalty, he highlights the potential consequences of associating with individuals who may betray our trust and cause harm.

In practical terms, this Hadith encourages Muslims to surround themselves with trustworthy and loyal companions who will support them in their journey towards righteousness. It reminds us to seek friends who are sincere, honest, and committed to their relationships. By doing so, we can cultivate an environment of trust, love, and loyalty, which will contribute to our personal growth and spiritual well-being.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a valuable reminder for Muslims to be cautious in forming friendships and alliances. It emphasizes the importance of loyalty and trustworthiness in relationships and encourages us to surround ourselves with sincere and trustworthy companions. By adhering to these principles, we can foster an environment of love, trust, and loyalty, which will contribute to our personal and spiritual development. May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in choosing our friends wisely and grant us the ability to be loyal and trustworthy companions ourselves.