Hadith #2040

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

بَقِيَّةُ السَّيْفِ أنْمى عَدَداً وأكْثَرُ وَلَداً۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

The survivors of war grow larger in number and have more children.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (baqiyyatu) "بَقِيَّةُ" refers to the survivors or remnants of war. It signifies those who have managed to survive the hardships and challenges of battle. The word (sayf) "سَّيْفِ" means sword, which symbolizes warfare and conflict. (anma) "أنْمَى" means to grow or increase, and (adadan) "عَدَداً" refers to number or quantity. Finally, (aktharu waladan) "أكْثَرُ وَلَداً" means to have more children.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Nisa (4:97),

Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves - [the angels] will say, 'In what [condition] were you?' They will say, 'We were oppressed in the land.' The angels will say, 'Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?' For those, their refuge is Hell - and evil it is as a destination.

This verse highlights the consequences of oppression and injustice. Those who suffer oppression and fail to seek refuge in a land where they can practice their faith freely will face a dire fate. Similarly, the survivors of war mentioned in the Hadith are those who have endured the trials of battle and have managed to escape its horrors. They have witnessed the atrocities of war and have been exposed to its harsh realities.

The Hadith emphasizes that these survivors, despite their hardships, will grow larger in number and have more children. This can be understood in two ways. Firstly, it refers to the physical growth of the survivors' population. In times of war, communities often face a decline in population due to casualties. However, the survivors, through their resilience and determination, will not only recover but also increase in number. This growth is a testament to their strength and ability to overcome adversity.

Secondly, the increase in offspring can also be seen as a metaphorical representation of the survivors' ability to pass on their knowledge, values, and principles to future generations. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, and his followers, the true believers, would inherit and propagate this knowledge. They would raise their children with the teachings of Islam, ensuring the preservation and propagation of the faith.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:30),

And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.

This verse reminds us that despite the plots and schemes of the disbelievers, Allah's plan always prevails. The survivors of war mentioned in the Hadith are a testament to this divine plan. They have overcome the challenges and emerged stronger, both in terms of their numbers and their commitment to the faith.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the survivors of war, those who have endured and overcome the trials of battle, will not only grow in number but also have more children. This growth signifies their resilience and ability to pass on the knowledge and values of Islam to future generations. It reminds us of the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity and the ultimate victory of Allah's plan. May we always strive to uphold the teachings of Islam and pass them on to the next generation.