Hadith #2906

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) declares his position as the representative of the Prophet of Allah among the Muslims. He states that he is the one who will keep the believers within the boundaries of their religion and guide them towards the Garden of the Abode.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this hadith to understand its significance. The word (khalifatu) "خَلِيفَةُ" refers to a successor or representative. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is proclaiming that he is the chosen representative of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) among the Muslims. This highlights his unique position and authority, bestowed upon him by the Prophet himself.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further states that he will keep the believers within the boundaries of their religion. The word (hudud) "حُدُودِ" refers to the limits or boundaries set by Allah in matters of faith and practice. It is the duty of the Imam to ensure that the Muslims adhere to these boundaries and do not deviate from the true teachings of Islam. This emphasizes the role of the Imam as a guardian and protector of the faith.

To support this concept, we find numerous verses in the Quran that emphasize the importance of following the guidance of the Prophet and his chosen successors. Allah says in Surah Al-Nisa, verse 59:

O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.

This verse clearly highlights the obligation of obeying the Prophet and those in authority, who are the successors appointed by him.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) also mentions that he is the one who calls the believers towards the Garden of the Abode, referring to Paradise. This signifies his role as a guide and mentor, leading the Muslims towards the ultimate goal of attaining eternal bliss in the hereafter. The Imam, through his knowledge, wisdom, and exemplary character, invites the believers to follow the path of righteousness and piety.

In Surah Al-Imran, verse 104, Allah says:

Let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.

This verse highlights the importance of having righteous leaders who invite people towards goodness and forbid evil. The Imam, as the representative of the Prophet, fulfills this role by guiding the Muslims towards the path of righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) declaration in this hadith serves as a reminder to all Muslims of the significance of following the guidance of the Prophet and his chosen successors. It emphasizes the role of the Imam as a guardian of the faith and a guide for the believers. By adhering to the teachings and guidance of the Imam, Muslims can ensure that they remain on the right path and strive towards attaining Paradise.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights his unique position as the representative of the Prophet among the Muslims. It emphasizes his role in keeping the believers within the boundaries of their religion and guiding them towards the Garden of the Abode. By following the guidance of the Imam, Muslims can attain success in this world and the hereafter. May Allah guide us all to the straight path and grant us the ability to follow the teachings of the Prophet and his chosen successors.