Hadith #6294

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

دَوْلَةُ الجائِرِ مِنَ المُمْكِناتِ۔

This can be translated as,

The reign of a tyrant is from the contingent [and temporary] things.

Let us delve into the meaning of this enlightening Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran. The word (dawlah) "دَوْلَةُ" refers to the reign or rule of a person, while (al-ja'ir) "الجائِرِ" denotes a tyrant or oppressor. The term (min al-mumkinat) "مِنَ المُمْكِناتِ" can be understood as

from the contingent things

or

from the things that are subject to change.

To better comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the transitory nature of worldly power and the ultimate authority that lies with Him alone. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 26, Allah says,

Say, 'O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.'

This verse highlights that Allah is the true owner of sovereignty, and He bestows it upon whomever He chooses. The reign of a tyrant, as mentioned in the Hadith, is a manifestation of this temporary and contingent power. It serves as a reminder that no matter how oppressive a ruler may be, their rule is subject to change and will eventually come to an end.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of a tyrant's reign is found in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 5:

And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors.

This verse highlights Allah's mercy and justice, as He promises to uplift the oppressed and grant them leadership. It signifies that the reign of a tyrant is not sustainable, and Allah will eventually replace them with just leaders.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that the power and authority of a tyrant are temporary and contingent. It encourages us to have patience in the face of oppression and to place our trust in Allah's ultimate justice. The Hadith also serves as a motivation for Muslims to strive for justice and resist oppression, knowing that the reign of a tyrant will eventually come to an end.

Moreover, this Hadith highlights the profound knowledge and wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). He understood the transient nature of worldly power and recognized that the reign of a tyrant is merely a part of the contingent and changeable aspects of this world. His words provide solace and hope to those who are oppressed, reminding them that their oppressors will not hold power forever.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the reign of a tyrant is temporary and subject to change. It encourages us to have patience and trust in Allah's justice, knowing that He is the true owner of sovereignty. This Hadith serves as a motivation for us to strive for justice and resist oppression, while also reminding us of the profound knowledge and wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). May Allah guide us all to the path of justice and righteousness.