[10] The Quran teaches...

[10] The Quran teaches: “Repel [evil] with what is best; then the one who is hostile toward you will become as if he were a devoted friend” . [11] Imam Sajjad (AS), in his will to his son Imam Baqir (AS), said: “My dear son, continually swallow the bitterness you experience from people, for your father will exchange every gulp of anger endured from them for red-haired camels (a symbol of wealth)” . [12] 7.

Kindness Toward an Enemy Imam Ali (AS): “Overcome your enemy with kindness, for that is the sweetest of victories” . [13] Victory over an enemy can be achieved either by force or through kindness. Imam Ali (AS) reminds us that true triumph lies in treating one’s enemy with goodness. 8. Setting Limits in Cutting Ties with a brother in Faith Imam Ali (AS): “If you must sever ties with your brother, then leave a portion of friendship remaining, to which he may return one day” .

[14] This is one of the best ethical teachings: never destroy the bridge of friendship completely, for one day you may wish to rebuild it. Imam Ali (AS) also said: “Love your friend moderately, for he may one day become your enemy. And hate your enemy moderately, for he may one day become your friend”. [15] 9. Confirming the Good Opinion of Others Imam Ali (AS): “When someone thinks well of you, confirm his good opinion” .

[16] If others believe you are virtuous and noble, act accordingly so that their trust is affirmed. At the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet (S) asked: “What do you think and what do you say [about me]?” Suhail ibn Amr replied: “We think only good of you.” The Prophet (S) said: “I say to you what my brother Joseph said to his brothers: “No blame upon you today. May God forgive you, and He is the most merciful of the merciful” . [17] 10.

Friendship Through Sincerity and Preserving Rights Imam Ali (AS): “Do not neglect your brother’s rights by relying only on the bond between you, for he who neglects his brother’s rights is no brother at all”. [18] Sometimes intimacy in friendship causes people to disregard the dignity and rights of the other. Such neglect often leads to the breakdown of friendship. 11. etiquettes of friendship within the Family Imam Ali (AS): “Let not your family be the most miserable of people because of you”.

[19] Imam Ali (AS) advised his son to honor the rights of his family and not neglect them. A person should not be kind to everyone else while ignoring his own household.