AVOIDING HARMFUL COMPANIONSHIP AND GUARDING THE TONGUE;

A Sanad Criticism and Social Psychological Analysis of a Hadith

Abstract

This study departs from the complex problem of adolescent social relations in the digital era, characterized by intense social pressure, the diffusion of negative behaviors, and increasing psychological vulnerability. In this context, the hadith encourages individuals to avoid harmful or negative social influences and to be mindful of their speech, emphasizing the importance of guarding one’s words and maintaining good character in interactions with others, becomes highly relevant for critical and contextual examination. This research aims to analyze the authenticity of the hadith “al-waḥdah khayr min jalīs al-sū’” through sanad criticism and to explore its relevance from the perspective of contemporary social psychology. Employing a qualitative library-based approach with a descriptive-analytical method, the study utilizes ʿilm al-jarḥ wa al-taʿdīl for sanad evaluation, alongside Self-Determination Theory and Social Influence Theory for interpretive analysis. The findings indicate that the hadith is classified as ḍaʿīf due to the presence of unknown narrators and weaknesses in transmission precision, although its matn aligns with broader Islamic ethical principles. Substantively, the hadith demonstrates strong relevance to modern psychological insights, particularly in highlighting the importance of preserving moral autonomy and maintaining the quality of social relationships amid environmental pressures.