Hadith #10820

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

الْمَوَدَّةُ فِي اللَّهِ آكَدُّ مِنْ وَشِيجِ الرَّحِمِ

This Hadith can be translated as,

Friendship for the sake of Allah is stronger than the bond of blood-relationship.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (al-mawaddah) "الْمَوَدَّةُ" refers to love, affection, and friendship. It signifies a deep bond and attachment between individuals. (fi Allah) "فِي اللَّهِ" means for the sake of Allah, indicating that the love and friendship being discussed here is based on a shared devotion and obedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The phrase (akaddu) "آكَدُّ" means stronger or more firm. It emphasizes the strength and solidity of the bond of friendship for the sake of Allah. Finally, (washīj ar-rahim) "وَشِيجِ الرَّحِمِ" refers to the bond of blood-relationship, specifically referring to the ties of kinship and family.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong bonds of kinship and family ties in several verses. For example, in Surah An-Nisa (4:1), Allah says,

And fear Allah through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.

This verse highlights the importance of maintaining family ties and treating one another with kindness and respect.

However, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) goes beyond the bonds of blood-relationship and emphasizes the strength of friendship for the sake of Allah. This means that the love and friendship we have for our fellow Muslims, based on our shared devotion to Allah, should be even stronger and more steadfast than our ties of kinship.

To further understand the implications of this Hadith, let us consider an example. Imagine two individuals, one who is a close relative and the other who is a fellow Muslim but not a blood relative. If both individuals are in need of assistance, the one who is a close relative may naturally expect help and support. However, according to this Hadith, the one who shares a bond of friendship for the sake of Allah should be given priority in terms of assistance and support. This is because the bond of friendship based on faith and devotion to Allah is stronger and more enduring than the bond of blood-relationship.

The motivation behind this Hadith is to encourage Muslims to prioritize their relationships based on faith and devotion to Allah. It reminds us that our love and friendship for fellow believers should surpass any worldly ties and obligations. By prioritizing friendships for the sake of Allah, we strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood within the Muslim community. This fosters a sense of unity, support, and mutual care among Muslims.

The consequences of implementing this Hadith in our lives are profound. When we prioritize friendships for the sake of Allah, we create a community that is built on love, compassion, and support. We become more inclined to help and support one another, even if we are not blood relatives. This strengthens the fabric of our society and fosters a sense of belonging and unity.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to cultivate friendships for the sake of Allah. We should seek out companions who share our devotion to Allah and who inspire us to grow in faith. By doing so, we not only strengthen our own relationship with Allah but also contribute to the development of a strong and supportive Muslim community.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that friendship for the sake of Allah is stronger than the bond of blood-relationship. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships based on faith and devotion to Allah. By doing so, we strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood within the Muslim community and create a society built on love, compassion, and support. May Allah guide us to cultivate such friendships and strengthen our bonds with fellow believers.