Hadith #747

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) emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong bonds of friendship and warns against actions that may drive away our friends. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (your friend) "صَديقَكَ", (in a way that removes) "إخراجاً", (affection) "مَودَّتِكَ", (your friendship) "اُنْسِكَ", and (returning back) "رُّجوعِ".

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of maintaining good relations with others and warns against severing ties. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10), Allah says,

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

This verse highlights the importance of unity and reconciliation among believers, emphasizing the need to resolve conflicts and maintain strong bonds of brotherhood.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8), Allah instructs the believers,

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 kindness and justice, even if they hold different beliefs or opinions.

Now, let us reflect on the wise message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. He advises us to be cautious and avoid actions that may drive away our friends. This implies that we should be mindful of our words, actions, and behavior towards our friends, ensuring that we do not hurt or offend them to the extent that they lose their affection for us.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises us to leave some room in our friendship for our friends, so that they may have the confidence to return back to it. This means that even if there are disagreements or misunderstandings, we should not completely sever our ties with our friends. Instead, we should maintain a space for reconciliation and forgiveness, allowing them the opportunity to mend the relationship.

This Hadith highlights the importance of forgiveness, patience, and understanding in maintaining strong and lasting friendships. It teaches us to be mindful of our actions and their impact on others, reminding us of the value of empathy and compassion.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious in their interactions with friends, ensuring that they do not drive them away or hurt their feelings. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong bonds of friendship, forgiveness, and leaving room for reconciliation. May we all strive to embody these teachings in our relationships and be a source of love and support for one another.