Hadith #7228

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The reign of the intelligent one is like the relative who longs to unite [with his dear ones].

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

The word (dawlatu) "دَوْلَةُ" in this Hadith refers to the reign or governance of a wise and intelligent leader. It signifies a state of authority and power. The word (al-'aqil) "العاقِلِ" refers to the intelligent one, someone who possesses wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is known for his exceptional intellect and wisdom, making him the perfect embodiment of this Hadith.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 247,

Their prophet said to them, 'Indeed, Allah has sent Saul as a king over you.' They said, 'How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?' He said, 'Indeed, Allah has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing.'

This verse highlights the importance of knowledge and wisdom in leadership. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) chose Saul as a king over the people because of his knowledge and wisdom. Similarly, the reign of the intelligent one mentioned in the Hadith is characterized by their deep understanding and ability to make wise decisions.

Furthermore, the phrase (ka al-naseebi yahinnu ila al-wuslah)

كَالنَّسيبِ يَحِنُّ إلَى الوُصْلَةِ

in the Hadith translates to

like the relative who longs to unite [with his dear ones].

This comparison emphasizes the longing and yearning of a wise leader to unite and bring people together under their just and fair governance.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran, verse 103,

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.

This verse emphasizes the importance of unity and coming together as a community. A wise leader, like Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), strives to unite people and bring them closer to one another. They work towards fostering harmony, resolving conflicts, and creating an environment where people can thrive and prosper together.

The reign of the intelligent one, as described in this Hadith, has profound implications. It highlights the significance of knowledge and wisdom in leadership, as well as the responsibility of a leader to unite and bring people together. A wise leader understands the needs and aspirations of their community and works towards their betterment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) exemplified these qualities throughout his life. His deep knowledge and wisdom guided his governance, and his efforts to unite the Muslim Ummah are well-known. His reign was marked by justice, compassion, and a sincere desire to bring people closer to one another.

As Muslims, we should strive to emulate the qualities of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and seek leaders who possess knowledge, wisdom, and a genuine desire to unite the community. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to recognize and support such leaders, and may He guide us all on the path of righteousness.