Hadith #812

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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 choosing our companions wisely and surrounding ourselves with individuals who possess certain qualities. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

Firstly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to only accompany the intelligent and pious. The word used for intelligent in Arabic is (aaqilan) "عاقِلًا", which refers to someone who possesses wisdom, understanding, and discernment. This implies that we should seek the company of individuals who have the ability to think critically and make sound judgments. Furthermore, the word used for pious in Arabic is (taqiyyan) "تَقِيًّا", which signifies someone who is God-conscious, righteous, and fears Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The Quran supports this notion of seeking the company of the intelligent and pious. In Surah Al-Ankabut (29:69), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse highlights the importance of surrounding ourselves with individuals who are actively striving for the sake of Allah, as they will be guided by Him. By choosing companions who are intelligent and pious, we can benefit from their knowledge, guidance, and righteous actions.

Secondly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to associate only with the knowledgeable and righteous. The word used for knowledgeable in Arabic is (aaleman) "عالِمًا", which refers to someone who possesses deep knowledge and understanding in various fields. This implies that we should seek the company of individuals who are well-versed in religious knowledge, as well as those who possess knowledge in other areas of life. The word used for righteous in Arabic is (zakiyyan) "زَكِيًّا", which signifies someone who is pure, virtuous, and morally upright.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and associating with the knowledgeable. In Surah Al-Zumar (39:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Are those who know equal to those who do not know?

This verse highlights the superiority of those who possess knowledge over those who do not. By associating with the knowledgeable, we can benefit from their wisdom, guidance, and understanding of the Quran and Sunnah. Additionally, the Quran encourages us to associate with the righteous in Surah Al-Tawbah (9:119), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.

Lastly, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to only entrust our secrets to the trustworthy and loyal. The word used for trustworthy in Arabic is (mu'minan) "مُؤْمِنًا", which refers to someone who is faithful, reliable, and trustworthy. This implies that we should only confide in individuals who have proven themselves to be trustworthy and loyal.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of trustworthiness and loyalty. In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:1), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts.

This verse highlights the importance of fulfilling our commitments and being trustworthy in our interactions with others. By entrusting our secrets to the trustworthy and loyal, we can be assured that our confidences will be kept and our trust will not be betrayed.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to carefully choose their companions and associates. By surrounding ourselves with the intelligent and pious, we can benefit from their wisdom and righteousness. By associating with the knowledgeable and righteous, we can gain knowledge and guidance in various aspects of life. And by entrusting our secrets to the trustworthy and loyal, we can maintain the sanctity of our confidences. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives and bless us with righteous companions.