Hadith #6040

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

عَلَيْكَ بِطاعَةِ مَنْ يَأمُرُكَ بِالدِّينِ فَإنَّهُ يَهْدِيكَ ويُنْجيكَ۔

This can be translated as,

You must obey the one who commands you to religion [and the obedience of Allah] for verily he is guiding you and saving you [from chastisement in the Hereafter].

In this beautiful saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of obeying those who guide us towards the path of religion and the obedience of Allah. To fully comprehend the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words.

The word (ta'at) "طاعَةِ" translates to "obedience" in English. It signifies the act of submitting oneself to the commands and guidance of someone who possesses authority and knowledge. In this context, it refers to obeying the one who commands us to follow the teachings of religion and the obedience of Allah.

The word (man) "مَنْ" means "who" in English. It refers to the person who is commanding us to follow the path of religion and the obedience of Allah. This person is someone who possesses the necessary knowledge and understanding of the religion, and is capable of guiding others towards the right path.

The word (ya'muruka) "يَأمُرُكَ" means "commands you" in English. It signifies the act of instructing or ordering someone to do something. In this context, it refers to the person who is guiding us towards the path of religion and the obedience of Allah, and is commanding us to follow their guidance.

The word (deen) "دِّينِ" translates to "religion" in English. It encompasses the entire system of beliefs, practices, and moral values that govern the lives of Muslims. It includes the worship of Allah, following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and adhering to the principles of justice, compassion, and righteousness.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find verses that support and shed light on the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Nisa, verse 59:

O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.

This verse emphasizes the importance of obeying Allah, the Messenger (ﷺ), and those in authority among the believers. It highlights the need to follow the guidance of those who possess knowledge and authority in matters of religion. By obeying them, we are guided towards the right path and protected from the consequences of disobedience.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Imran, verse 32:

Say, 'Obey Allah and the Messenger.' But if they turn away - then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers.

This verse reiterates the command to obey Allah and the Messenger (ﷺ). It emphasizes the importance of following their teachings and guidance. By doing so, we attain guidance and protection from the pitfalls of disbelief and disobedience.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the beautiful message conveyed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith. He emphasizes the necessity of obeying and following the guidance of those who command us to religion and the obedience of Allah. By doing so, we are guided towards the right path and protected from the chastisement in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, understood the importance of seeking guidance from those who possess the necessary knowledge and authority in matters of religion. He encourages us to recognize and submit to the authority of such individuals, as they are the ones who can guide us towards the path of righteousness and salvation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to obey and follow the guidance of those who command us to religion and the obedience of Allah. By doing so, we attain guidance, protection, and salvation in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to recognize and submit to the rightful authorities in matters of religion, and may He guide us all to the straight path.