Hadith #6065

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,

مَنْ أطاعَ رَبَّهُ مَلَكَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who obeys his Lord gains authority.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ata'a) "أطاعَ" in Arabic means to obey, submit, or comply. It signifies an act of surrendering oneself to the will and commandments of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a comprehensive term that encompasses both external actions and internal intentions. Obedience to Allah is the foundation of our faith and the key to attaining His pleasure and blessings.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of obedience in numerous verses of the Quran. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 83, Allah says,

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.' Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

This verse highlights the significance of obeying Allah's commandments and fulfilling our obligations towards others.

The word (Rabbahu) "رَبَّهُ" in the Hadith refers to the Lord, the Creator, and Sustainer of the universe. It signifies the ultimate authority and power that belongs solely to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By obeying our Lord, we acknowledge His sovereignty and recognize His wisdom and guidance in our lives.

The Hadith further states that by obeying our Lord, one gains (malakah) "مَلَكَ", which can be translated as authority, power, or control. This authority is not worldly or materialistic, but rather it is a spiritual authority that comes from being in alignment with the divine will. It is a position of honor and influence that is granted to those who submit themselves entirely to Allah's commandments.

In Surah An-Nisa, verse 59, Allah says,

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 highlights the importance of obeying Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) as well as those in authority among the Muslims. By doing so, we establish a just and harmonious society that is based on the principles of Islam.

When we obey our Lord, we align ourselves with His divine plan and purpose. We become instruments of His mercy and guidance in the world. Our actions and decisions are guided by the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ). We become a source of inspiration and guidance for others, and our influence extends beyond our immediate surroundings.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the profound truth that obedience to Allah leads to authority. By submitting ourselves to the will of Allah, we gain spiritual strength and influence that transcends worldly power. Our obedience to Allah becomes a means of attaining His pleasure and blessings in this life and the hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true authority and power come from obeying our Lord. By surrendering ourselves to His commandments and aligning our actions with His guidance, we become vessels of His mercy and influence. Let us strive to be obedient servants of Allah, seeking His pleasure and striving for spiritual growth and excellence. May Allah guide us all on the path of obedience and grant us the authority that comes from being His devoted servants.