Hadith #5139

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

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

كُلُّ غالِب بِالشَّرِّ مَغْلُوبٌ۔

This can be translated into English as:

Every victor who gains victory by evil is [in actual fact] defeated.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (ghalib) "غالِب" refers to someone who is victorious or triumphant. (bil-sharr) "بِالشَّرِّ" means by means of evil or through wickedness. And (maghlub) "مَغْلُوبٌ" denotes someone who is defeated or overpowered.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 120:

And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, 'Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance.' If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper.

This verse highlights the importance of following the guidance of Allah and not succumbing to the desires and ideologies of others. It warns against seeking victory through evil means, as it ultimately leads to defeat. The victory that is sought through evil is superficial and short-lived, while true victory lies in following the path of righteousness and adhering to the teachings of Allah.

Another verse that sheds light on the meaning of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 83:

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.

This verse emphasizes that true success and victory are not achieved through corruption or seeking power and dominance over others. Rather, it is attained by those who do not desire worldly exaltedness and who strive for righteousness and piety. Such individuals do not resort to evil tactics to achieve their goals, but rather rely on the guidance of Allah and His mercy.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to always uphold the principles of justice, honesty, and righteousness in all aspects of life. It teaches us that any victory achieved through evil means is ultimately a defeat, as it goes against the teachings of Islam and the guidance of Allah.

For example, if someone gains wealth through dishonest means, they may appear to be successful in the eyes of the world. However, in reality, they are defeated because they have compromised their integrity and have gone against the commandments of Allah. Their ill-gotten wealth will not bring them true happiness or contentment, and they will be held accountable for their actions in the Hereafter.

Similarly, if someone attains power and authority through oppression and injustice, they may seem to be in a position of strength. However, they are ultimately defeated because they have violated the rights of others and have strayed from the path of righteousness. Their oppressive rule will not bring them lasting respect or honor, and they will be answerable for their actions on the Day of Judgment.

This Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to always strive for victory through virtuous means. It encourages us to seek success and triumph in the sight of Allah by upholding justice, compassion, and righteousness in all our endeavors. True victory lies in following the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), and in adhering to the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who are the epitome of knowledge and wisdom.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to the path of righteousness and grant us victory through virtuous means. May we always strive to follow the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the teachings of the Quran, and may our actions be pleasing to Allah.