Hadith #2012

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Allah, the Glorified, never lets His servants remain without a divinely appointed Prophet or a revealed book [to guide them].

This enlightening Hadith highlights the divine mercy and guidance that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His creation. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (lets remain) "خل" and (without) "من". The word "خل" refers to the act of leaving or abandoning something, while "من" denotes the absence or lack of something. Therefore, this Hadith emphasizes that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) never leaves His servants without the guidance of a divinely appointed Prophet or a revealed book.

This divine promise is supported by numerous verses in the Quran. For instance, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states in Surah Yunus (10:47),

And for every nation is a messenger. So when their messenger comes, it will be judged between them in justice, and they will not be wronged.

This verse affirms that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has sent messengers to every nation, ensuring that His guidance reaches all corners of the earth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid (57:25), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) declares,

We sent messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind may have no argument against Allah after the messengers.

This verse emphasizes the role of the Prophets as bearers of glad tidings and warners, ensuring that humanity has no excuse to deny or reject the message of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The consequences of this divine promise are profound. By sending Prophets and revealing books, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) ensures that His guidance remains accessible to humanity throughout history. This guidance serves as a beacon of light, illuminating the path towards righteousness, justice, and moral excellence. It provides Muslims with a clear roadmap for navigating the complexities of life and making decisions in accordance with the divine will.

The presence of divinely appointed Prophets and revealed books also safeguards against the corruption and distortion of religious teachings. It ensures that the message of Islam remains pure and unadulterated, free from human manipulation or alteration. Muslims can have confidence in the authenticity and reliability of the Quran, knowing that it is the final and unchanging revelation from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Moreover, this Hadith highlights the immense knowledge and wisdom possessed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). His statement reflects his deep understanding of the divine plan and the continuous guidance provided by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to His creation. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) knowledge and insight serve as an inspiration for Muslims to seek knowledge, understand the teachings of Islam, and reflect upon the divine wisdom embedded within the Quran.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) infinite mercy and guidance. It assures us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) never leaves His servants without the guidance of a divinely appointed Prophet or a revealed book. This divine promise ensures that Muslims have access to the timeless teachings of Islam, enabling them to lead a righteous and purposeful life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) continue to bless us with His guidance and grant us the ability to follow the path of the Prophets and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).