Hadith #2501

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لا يَصْطَنِعُ اللِّئامُ إلاّ أمْثالَُهُمْ۔

This can be translated as,

The wicked do not do good to anyone except those who are like them.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The term (la yastani'u) "لا يَصْطَنِعُ" means "do not do" or "do not perform." The word (al-li'aam) "اللِّئامُ" refers to the wicked or evil individuals. And the phrase (illa amthalahum) "إلاّ أمْثالَُهُمْ" means

except those who are like them.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:35),

And their prayer at the House was not except whistling and handclapping. So taste the punishment for what you disbelieved.

This verse highlights the insincere actions of the disbelievers during their prayer at the Kaaba. They did not truly worship Allah with devotion and sincerity. Similarly, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that the wicked individuals do not genuinely perform acts of goodness towards others, except those who share their wickedness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:51), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns the believers,

O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.

This verse highlights the importance of choosing righteous companions and allies. It cautions against forming alliances with those who possess wickedness in their hearts. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes this message, emphasizing that the wicked individuals only extend their acts of goodness to those who are like them, as they find comfort and validation in their shared wickedness.

The consequences of this Hadith are profound. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious in choosing their companions and associates. We should strive to surround ourselves with individuals who possess piety, righteousness, and a sincere desire to do good. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from the negative influences of the wicked and ensure that our actions are aligned with the teachings of Islam.

Moreover, this Hadith also highlights the importance of self-reflection. It urges us to examine our own actions and intentions. Are we truly performing acts of goodness for the sake of Allah, or are we only doing so to gain the approval of those who share our wickedness? It reminds us to purify our intentions and seek Allah's pleasure in all that we do.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be mindful of the company we keep and the intentions behind our actions. It warns against forming alliances with the wicked and emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with righteous individuals. May Allah guide us to choose companions who inspire us towards goodness and protect us from the influence of the wicked.