Hadith #5425

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 Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous successors.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us, as Muslims, to refrain from seeking advice or consultation from our enemies and to keep our information hidden from them. This impactful saying holds great wisdom and guidance for us in our daily lives.

Let us first delve into the important words of this Hadith. The word (tushawir) "تُشاوِرْ" means to consult or seek advice. It implies seeking guidance from someone in order to make a decision. The word (aduwak) "عَدُوَّكَ" refers to one's enemy, someone who harbors ill intentions or poses a threat to us. And the word (khabarak) "خَبَرَكَ" means to inform or disclose information.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran, verse 118:

O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves, for they will not spare you [any] ruin. They wish you would have hardship. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater.

This verse highlights the importance of being cautious in choosing our close companions and advisors. It warns us against seeking counsel from those who harbor ill intentions towards us, as they may not have our best interests at heart.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 8, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises us:

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 fairness, even if they are not Muslims or hold different beliefs. However, seeking their advice or disclosing sensitive information to them may not be advisable, as it can potentially harm our own interests.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith is rooted in his profound knowledge and wisdom. He understood that seeking counsel from one's enemies can lead to detrimental consequences. Our enemies may exploit the information we disclose to them, use it against us, or manipulate us for their own benefit. By advising us to hide our information from our enemies, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us to protect ourselves and safeguard our interests.

Let us consider a practical example to better understand the significance of this guidance. Imagine a Muslim individual who is involved in a business venture. They have a competitor who is known to be ruthless and unethical in their dealings. Seeking advice or disclosing sensitive business information to this competitor would be unwise, as it could potentially lead to the downfall of the Muslim individual's business. By following Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice, the Muslim individual can protect their interests and ensure the success of their business.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of being cautious in seeking advice and disclosing information to our enemies. It reminds us to choose our advisors wisely and to protect our interests from those who may wish us harm. By following this guidance, we can navigate through life's challenges with wisdom and prudence, ensuring our own well-being and success. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the understanding to implement this guidance in our lives.