Bad Company, Lost Trust: A Lesson from Imam Ali through Imam al-Jawad and ‘Abd al-‘Azim al-Hasani

Introduction

On the 4^th of Rabi‘ al-Thani, Muslims celebrate the birth of the noble descendant of Imam Hassan (as), al-Sayyid ‘Abd al-‘Azim al-Hasani (d. 252 AH). To mark this occasion, we reflect on a profound narration he transmitted from Imam al-Jawad (peace be upon him), who relayed the wisdom of his grandfather, Imam Ali (peace be upon him):

مُجَالَسَةُ اَلْأَشْرَارِ تُورِثُ سُوءَ اَلظَّنِّ بِالْأَخْيَارِ (الأمالي للصدوق، ج 1، ص 446)

“Keeping company with the wicked causes suspicion towards the righteous.” (al-Amālī of Shaykh al-Sadūq, vol. 1, p. 446)

Educational Messages for Teenagers and Youth

1. Choose Friends Wisely

Bad company can slowly influence your thoughts and attitudes, even against good people.

Practical Challenge: Review your circle of friends and identify one person who strengthens your faith and values—spend more time with them this week.

2. Guard Your Perspective

Being around negative people may distort how you view others, making you distrust those who deserve respect.

Practical Challenge: Catch yourself when making unfair assumptions about someone and ask: “Am I judging them because of my own influences?”

3. Create Positive Peer Influence

Do not just avoid bad influence; become a source of good influence yourself.

Practical Challenge: Start a small initiative with your friends (study circle, charity activity, prayer group) that spreads positivity.

4. Re-evaluate Your Circle

If you find yourself growing suspicious of good and trustworthy people, it is a sign that your current companions may be influencing you negatively.

Practical Challenge: Take a moment this week to reflect on your closest friends and ask yourself: “Do they help me trust and respect the good in others?”

Educational Messages for Parents

1. Guide Children in Friendships

Parents play a key role in helping children discern healthy friendships.

Practical Challenge: Have a family discussion where each child shares who their closest friends are and why.

2. Model Positive Associations

Children imitate their parents’ social choices. Show them the value of surrounding yourself with upright people.

Practical Challenge: Invite a respected, virtuous family friend for a meal so your children can experience their influence.

3. Teach Critical Awareness

Children should learn that not everyone who seems attractive is a good companion.

Practical Challenge: Share a story (real or from tradition) where bad company led to harm, and discuss the lesson.

4. Encourage Healthy Community Involvement

Provide opportunities for children to engage in environments with good influences.

Practical Challenge: Enrol your child in a local Islamic youth programme or volunteer activity this month.

5. Protect from Negative Media Influence

Bad company is not only people; it can also be unhealthy media.

Practical Challenge: Review together one online or media habit as a family and replace it with something more uplifting.

Educational Messages for Imams and Religious Leaders

1. Address Modern Bad Company

Today’s “company” includes online networks and media. Address this reality in guidance.

Practical Challenge: Host a youth workshop titled “Friends Online: Influence or Illusion?”

2. Promote Good Community Role Models

Showcase upright individuals in the community as living examples of good company.

Practical Challenge: Invite a respected community member to share their life journey in a mosque programme.

3. Counter Cynicism in Society

Bad influences make people suspicious of good. Leaders must rebuild trust in righteous individuals and institutions.

Practical Challenge: In your next khutbah, highlight how to differentiate between genuine piety and hypocrisy.

4. Strengthen Bonds Among the Righteous

Facilitate gatherings where good people strengthen one another’s faith and service.

Practical Challenge: Organise a monthly meeting for community volunteers to connect and encourage one another.