Hadith #5039

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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,

مَنْ قَصُرَ عَنِ السِّياسَةِ صَغُرَ عَنِ الرِّياسَةِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

One who falls short in administration [and politics] is poor in [and incapable of] leadership.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (qasura) "قَصُرَ" means to fall short or to be deficient in something. In this context, it refers to lacking the necessary skills, knowledge, or effort in the field of administration and politics. The word (siyasa) "سِّيَاسَةِ" refers to the art of governance, political affairs, and the management of public affairs. And the word (riyasa) "رِّيَاسَةِ" refers to leadership, the ability to guide and govern.

To comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yusuf (12:54), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And the king said, 'Bring him to me; I will appoint him exclusively for myself.' And when he spoke to him, he said, 'Indeed, you are today established [in position] and trusted.'

This verse highlights the importance of administration and politics in leadership. The king recognized the skills and capabilities of Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and entrusted him with a position of authority. Yusuf's ability to manage the affairs of the kingdom and make wise decisions demonstrated his suitability for leadership.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:26), we find the story of Prophet Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) when he sought refuge in the land of Madyan. He encountered two women struggling to water their flocks amidst a crowd of men. Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) helped them and later explained his actions to them. One of the women said to her father, (28:26)

Hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.

This verse emphasizes the qualities required for leadership. The woman recognized Musa's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) strength and trustworthiness, which are essential attributes for effective leadership. It is through his actions and character that Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) demonstrated his capability to lead.

From these Quranic examples, we can understand that leadership is not merely about holding a position of authority. It requires competence in administration and politics, as well as the ability to make sound decisions, manage resources, and gain the trust of the people.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in this Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims about the importance of acquiring knowledge and skills in governance and politics. It highlights that a leader must possess the necessary expertise to effectively manage the affairs of the community and make decisions that benefit the people.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself exemplified this quality through his vast knowledge and understanding of governance. His wisdom and insight in political matters were evident during his caliphate, where he implemented policies that promoted justice, equality, and the well-being of the Muslim community.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of acquiring knowledge and expertise in administration and politics for effective leadership. It serves as a reminder to Muslims that leadership is not merely a position of authority but requires the ability to govern and make decisions that benefit the community. May we strive to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and seek knowledge in all aspects of life, including governance and politics.