Hadith #6674

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The enemy has been named 'enemy' because he wrongs you; so one who flatters you for your faults is actually an enemy who is wronging you.

This thought-provoking saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the true nature of an enemy and warns against those who pretend to be friends while actually harming us.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith. The word "enemy" is translated from the Arabic word (aduww) "عَدُوُّ". It refers to someone who opposes, harms, or wrongs another person. The word "flatters" is translated from the Arabic word (dahana) "داهَنَ", which means to deceive or deceive someone by praising them insincerely. The word "faults" is translated from the Arabic word (ma'aibik) "مَعائِبِكَ", which refers to one's shortcomings or weaknesses.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:118),

O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves, for they will not spare you [any] ruin. They wish you would have hardship. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater. We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you will use reason.

This verse emphasizes the importance of choosing our companions wisely. It warns us against trusting those who are not sincere in their friendship and who may harbor ill intentions towards us. Such individuals may pretend to be our well-wishers, but in reality, they seek to harm us and take advantage of our weaknesses.

Furthermore, 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. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse highlights the importance of treating others with respect and refraining from mocking or belittling them. It reminds us that true righteousness lies in our character and actions, not in superficial flattery or false praise. Those who flatter us for our faults are not our true friends but rather enemies who seek to exploit our weaknesses.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims to be cautious of those who pretend to be our well-wishers but actually harm us. It urges us to be self-aware and strive for self-improvement, rather than seeking validation through insincere flattery. By recognizing the true nature of such individuals, we can protect ourselves from their harmful intentions and maintain sincere and genuine relationships with those who truly care for our well-being.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of discerning true friends from false ones. It warns us against those who flatter us for our faults, as they are actually enemies who seek to exploit our weaknesses. By seeking guidance from the Quran, we are reminded to choose our companions wisely and to strive for sincerity and self-improvement. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize true friends and protect us from the harm of false ones.