Hadith #4265

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,

لا رَأيَ لِمَنْ لا يُطاعُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is not obeyed has no opinion.

In this thought-provoking saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of obedience and its relationship to having a valid opinion or viewpoint.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words. The word (ra'iya) "رَأيَ" refers to an opinion, viewpoint, or judgment. It encompasses the ability to analyze and make decisions based on knowledge and understanding. The word (la) "لا" negates or denies the existence of something. The word (yuta'a) "يُطاعُ" means to be obeyed or followed.

In light of the Quran, we find several verses that emphasize the significance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:208),

O you who have believed, enter into peace completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

This verse highlights the importance of following the guidance of Allah and not being swayed by the temptations of Satan. It emphasizes the need for complete obedience to attain true peace.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Nisa (4:59), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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 not only Allah and His Messenger, but also those in authority. It emphasizes the need for unity and consultation in matters of disagreement.

Based on these Quranic verses, we can understand the meaning behind Imam Ali's statement. When Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) says,

One who is not obeyed has no opinion,

he is emphasizing the importance of obedience in validating one's opinion. An opinion that is not based on obedience to Allah and His Messenger, or those in authority, lacks the necessary foundation of righteousness and guidance.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his opinions were rooted in his deep understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). His statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that true knowledge and wisdom come from obedience to Allah and His chosen representatives.

When we reflect on this Hadith, we realize that obedience is not merely a matter of blindly following orders, but rather a means to attain true guidance and righteousness. By obeying Allah and His Messenger, and those in authority, we align ourselves with the divine wisdom and ensure that our opinions are based on the teachings of Islam.

Conversely, those who are not obeyed, who do not possess the authority or the knowledge to guide others, cannot claim to have valid opinions. Their views lack the necessary foundation of obedience and may lead to misguidance and confusion.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ),

One who is not obeyed has no opinion,

highlights the importance of obedience in validating one's opinion. It reminds us that true knowledge and wisdom come from obedience to Allah and His chosen representatives. By aligning ourselves with the teachings of Islam and seeking guidance from those in authority, we can ensure that our opinions are rooted in righteousness and divine wisdom. May Allah guide us all to obedience and grant us the ability to seek knowledge and wisdom from the right sources.