Hadith #839

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) warns us to be cautious and mindful of our companionship. It advises us to avoid associating with individuals who are immoral, wretched, and openly disobedient to the commandments of Allah. To fully understand the depth and significance of this advice, let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith.

The first word to explore is (fussaq) "فُسَّاقِ", which refers to those who are openly sinful and disobedient to Allah's commands. These individuals persist in committing major sins and disregard the boundaries set by Islam. They openly indulge in immoral behavior and show no remorse for their actions.

The second word is (fujjar) "فُجَّارِ", which refers to those who are wicked and corrupt. They not only commit sins but also actively promote evil and corruption in society. Their actions are characterized by a complete disregard for moral values and ethical principles.

The third word is (mujahirin) "مُجاهِرينَ", which refers to those who openly and shamelessly display their disobedience to Allah's commandments. They have no fear of the consequences of their actions and openly commit sins without any sense of shame or remorse.

To understand the gravity of this advice, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:68):

And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.

This verse emphasizes the importance of disassociating ourselves from those who engage in offensive discourse about the verses of Allah. It encourages us to physically and mentally distance ourselves from such individuals, as their negative influence can lead us astray from the path of righteousness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:28), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the consequences of bad companionship:

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.

This verse highlights the importance of surrounding ourselves with righteous companions who remind us of Allah and strive to seek His pleasure. It warns against following the desires of those whose hearts have been made heedless of Allah's remembrance, as their influence can lead us astray from the path of righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith serves as a reminder for us to be cautious in choosing our companions. Our company plays a significant role in shaping our thoughts, actions, and ultimately our character. Associating with individuals who openly indulge in sin and disobedience to Allah's commands can have detrimental effects on our faith and moral values.

By avoiding the company of the immoral, the wretched, and those who openly disobey Allah, we protect ourselves from their negative influence and safeguard our own spiritual well-being. Surrounding ourselves with righteous companions who encourage us to adhere to the teachings of Islam will strengthen our faith, increase our knowledge, and inspire us to strive for righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their companionship. It warns against associating with individuals who openly indulge in sin, promote corruption, and show no remorse for their actions. By choosing righteous companions who strive to seek Allah's pleasure, we can protect ourselves from negative influences and strengthen our faith. May Allah guide us to choose our companions wisely and grant us the strength to uphold the teachings of Islam.