Hadith #6690

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 hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

Stances of [enmity and] hatred anger the Most Merciful, please Satan and disgrace man.

This beautiful Hadith highlights the consequences of harboring enmity and hatred in one's heart. Let us delve deeper into the words of this hadith to understand its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (mawaqif) "مَواقِفُ" in the hadith refers to stances or positions that individuals take in their interactions with others. These stances can be either positive or negative, depending on the intentions and emotions behind them. In this context, the hadith specifically addresses the stances of enmity and hatred.

The word (shan'aan) "الشَّنَئانِ" refers to enmity or animosity. It signifies a deep-rooted feeling of hostility towards someone. This feeling can arise due to various reasons such as personal conflicts, ideological differences, or misunderstandings. The hadith warns us that such stances of enmity anger the Most Merciful, referring to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), who is the epitome of mercy and compassion.

To support this understanding, we find numerous verses in the Quran that emphasize the importance of maintaining good relations and avoiding enmity. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10):

The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

This verse highlights the unity and brotherhood among believers and encourages reconciliation and peace.

Furthermore, the hadith states that these stances of enmity please Satan. This implies that harboring hatred and animosity aligns one with the forces of evil and leads to spiritual degradation. Satan, the ultimate enemy of humanity, seeks to sow discord and division among people. By indulging in enmity, one inadvertently falls into the trap set by Satan, distancing themselves from the path of righteousness.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against the whisperings of Satan and his attempts to incite enmity. In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:91), Allah says:

Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?

This verse highlights the correlation between Satan's influence and the promotion of enmity and hatred.

Lastly, the hadith mentions that these stances of enmity disgrace man. When one allows hatred to consume their heart, it leads to a degradation of their character and tarnishes their reputation. Hatred blinds individuals from seeing the good in others and prevents them from fostering meaningful relationships. This ultimately leads to a loss of respect and honor in the eyes of society.

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of good character and the detrimental effects of harboring enmity. 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.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their stances and emotions towards others. Enmity and hatred not only displease the Most Merciful but also please Satan and bring disgrace upon oneself. It is imperative for us to seek forgiveness, reconcile differences, and foster unity and love within the Muslim ummah. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to follow the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in all aspects of our lives.