Hadith #5125

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

يَنْبَغِي لِمَنْ عَرَفَ الأشرارَ أنْ يَعْتَزِلَهُمْ

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of disassociating oneself from the wicked and evil individuals. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (yanbaghi) "يَنْبَغِي" in the Hadith implies an obligation or a duty. It signifies that it is necessary and incumbent upon the one who recognizes the wicked to take action. The word (arafa) "عَرَفَ" means to know or recognize. It refers to having knowledge and awareness of the wicked individuals and their evil deeds. And finally, the word (asharr) "أشرارَ" refers to the wicked or evil people.

The Quran provides us with guidance on the importance of disassociating ourselves from the wicked. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:28):

And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.

This verse reminds us that the material possessions and worldly relationships can be a test for us. Therefore, it is crucial for us to be mindful of the company we keep and to disassociate ourselves from those who engage in wickedness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse highlights the importance of fearing Allah and seeking His forgiveness. By disassociating ourselves from the wicked, we create a distance between ourselves and their misdeeds, allowing us to purify our hearts and seek Allah's forgiveness.

The consequences of not disassociating ourselves from the wicked can be detrimental to our faith and well-being. The wicked individuals may influence us negatively, leading us astray from the path of righteousness. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:51):

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 cautions us against forming alliances with those who are engaged in wrongdoing, as it can lead to compromising our own faith and principles.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the company they keep. By disassociating ourselves from the wicked, we protect our faith, maintain our moral integrity, and safeguard our spiritual well-being. It is essential to surround ourselves with individuals who inspire us to be better Muslims and who encourage us to strive for righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the obligation for Muslims to disassociate themselves from the wicked. This is supported by the Quranic verses that highlight the importance of being mindful of our associations and seeking Allah's forgiveness. By distancing ourselves from the wicked, we protect our faith, maintain our moral integrity, and ensure our spiritual well-being. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to choose our companions wisely and grant us the strength to disassociate ourselves from those engaged in wickedness.