Hadith #2432

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

Man badhala ma'rufahu istahqa al-riyasa.

This can be translated as,

One who extends his goodness [to the people] deserves leadership.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening saying in light of the Quran. The key word in this Hadith is "ma'ruf," which refers to acts of goodness, kindness, and righteousness. It encompasses all actions that benefit individuals and society as a whole. It includes acts such as charity, helping the needy, promoting justice, and spreading knowledge.

The word "istahqa" in the Hadith means "deserves" or "is worthy of." It implies that the one who consistently engages in acts of goodness and righteousness is deserving of leadership. This leadership can manifest in various forms, such as being a guide, a role model, or a person of influence in society.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hajj, verse 41:

Those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakah and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.

This verse highlights the qualities of true leaders who are entrusted with authority. They establish the prayer, fulfill their financial obligations, and promote what is good while forbidding what is evil.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 83, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

This verse emphasizes the importance of doing good to others, including family, orphans, and the needy. It also highlights the significance of speaking kindly to people and establishing prayer and giving zakah.

From these Quranic verses, we can infer that the one who consistently engages in acts of goodness, kindness, and righteousness is deserving of leadership. Such a person embodies the qualities of a true leader as described in the Quran. They establish prayer, fulfill their financial obligations, promote what is good, and forbid what is evil. They also show compassion towards others, including their family, orphans, and the needy. Their words are filled with kindness and they strive to create a positive impact in society.

The motivation behind extending goodness to others should not be solely for the sake of attaining leadership. Instead, it should stem from a genuine desire to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to fulfill our responsibilities towards our fellow human beings. When we engage in acts of goodness, we not only benefit others but also purify our own souls and strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The consequences of consistently extending goodness to others are far-reaching. Firstly, it creates a positive and harmonious environment in society. When individuals actively engage in acts of kindness, it fosters a sense of unity, compassion, and cooperation among people. Secondly, it inspires others to follow suit and engage in acts of goodness themselves. This ripple effect can lead to a society that is characterized by righteousness and justice.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that leadership is not solely based on wealth, power, or lineage. True leadership is earned through one's actions and character. It is the result of consistently extending goodness to others and fulfilling our responsibilities towards them. As Muslims, we should strive to embody the teachings of the Quran and the example of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By doing so, we can become deserving of leadership and contribute to the betterment of our communities and society as a whole.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be individuals who consistently extend goodness to others and grant us the ability to be true leaders in our respective spheres of influence.