Hadith #10963

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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) emphasizes the importance of maintaining relationships and establishing bonds of kinship, even in times of difficulty and scarcity. The key words in this Hadith are (establishes ties with you) "وَصَلَكَ", (while he has nothing) "مُعْدِمٌ", (shuns you) "جَفَاكَ", and (while he has plenty) "مُكْثِرٌ".

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of maintaining family ties and treating others with kindness and generosity. In Surah An-Nisa, verse 36, Allah says,

Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.

This verse highlights the significance of treating relatives and those in need with kindness and compassion. It encourages Muslims to establish and maintain strong bonds with their family members, regardless of their material wealth or social status. Similarly, in Surah Al-Isra, verse 23-24, Allah says,

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], 'uff,' and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.'

These verses emphasize the importance of honoring and respecting parents, which extends to all family members. They serve as a reminder that maintaining family ties and treating them with kindness and respect is a fundamental aspect of Islam.

Now, let us delve deeper into the exegesis of the Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that the one who establishes ties with you while he has nothing is better than the one who shuns you while he has plenty. This statement highlights the value of sincere relationships and the importance of maintaining them, even in challenging circumstances.

When someone reaches out to you and establishes ties, despite their own poverty or lack of resources, it demonstrates their genuine care and concern for you. Their actions are driven by love and a desire to maintain a strong bond, regardless of their own material limitations. This selflessness and willingness to prioritize relationships over personal wealth is highly commendable in the eyes of Allah.

On the other hand, the one who shuns you despite having plenty of resources displays a lack of empathy and compassion. Their actions reveal a selfish nature, as they prioritize their own comfort and wealth over maintaining relationships. This behavior goes against the teachings of Islam, which emphasize the importance of kindness, generosity, and maintaining strong family ties.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize relationships and to value the bonds of kinship. It encourages us to reach out to others, even when we may not have much to offer materially. By doing so, we strengthen the fabric of our communities and foster a sense of unity and compassion.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of maintaining relationships and establishing ties of kinship, even in times of difficulty and scarcity. It highlights the virtue of those who prioritize relationships over material wealth and condemns the behavior of those who shun others despite their abundance. As Muslims, we should strive to emulate the example set by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and prioritize maintaining strong bonds with our family members, regardless of their material circumstances. May Allah guide us to be compassionate and loving towards one another, and may He bless us with the strength to establish and maintain strong relationships.