Hadith #871

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 and noble family, and his righteous companions.

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

One who does not overlook the mistakes of his friend will die lonely.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, tolerance, and overlooking the faults of others in maintaining strong and lasting relationships.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (hattamala) "حتمل" means to bear or tolerate, while (zall) "زلل" refers to mistakes or slips. The term (as-sadiq) "الصديق" translates to friend or companion. Therefore, the Hadith can be understood as encouraging us to be patient and forgiving towards the mistakes of our friends.

This teaching of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) finds support in the Quran as well. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them.

This verse reminds us not to mock or belittle others, as they may possess virtues and qualities that we are unaware of. It teaches us to be humble and refrain from passing judgment on others based on their mistakes.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Nur (24:22), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises,

And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allah, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and generosity, urging us to pardon and overlook the faults of others. It reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is Forgiving and Merciful, and we should strive to emulate these qualities in our interactions with others.

The consequences of not overlooking the mistakes of our friends, as mentioned in the Hadith, are profound. When we constantly criticize and hold grudges against our friends for their errors, it creates a toxic environment that erodes trust and weakens the bond of friendship. This negativity can lead to isolation and loneliness, as others may distance themselves from us due to our inability to forgive and move past their mistakes.

On the other hand, when we choose to overlook the faults of our friends, we foster an atmosphere of understanding, compassion, and unity. This strengthens our relationships and allows for personal growth and development. By forgiving and overlooking the mistakes of others, we demonstrate the qualities of mercy and kindness that are beloved to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, highlights the importance of forgiving and overlooking the mistakes of our friends. His teachings remind us to be patient, understanding, and compassionate towards others, just as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is towards us. By embodying these qualities, we can cultivate strong and harmonious relationships, and ultimately, attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to forgive and overlook the mistakes of others, and may He bless us with sincere and lasting friendships.