Hadith #2775

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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,

زَوالُ الدُّوَلِ بِاصْطِناعِ السِّفَلِ۔

This can be translated as,

The fall of nations results from the appointment of depraved leaders.

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

First, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (zawal) "زَوالُ" refers to the decline or downfall of nations. (ad-duwal) "الدُّوَلِ" refers to nations or states. (istina') "اصْطِناعِ" means the appointment or selection of leaders. And (as-safil) "السِّفَلِ" refers to those who are lowly, corrupt, or unworthy.

To support the message of this Hadith, we find numerous verses in the Quran that emphasize the importance of just and righteous leadership. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:247),

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 appointing leaders who possess knowledge and wisdom. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, warns us that the downfall of nations occurs when leaders lacking these qualities are appointed. Such leaders, who are corrupt, ignorant, or unjust, lead their nations towards destruction and ruin.

In Surah Al-Qasas (28:14), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And when he [Moses] came to the watering place of Madyan, he found there a crowd of people watering [their flocks], and he found aside from them two women driving back [their flocks]. He said, 'What is your circumstance?' They said, 'We do not water until the shepherds dispatch [their flocks]; and our father is an old man.'

This verse highlights the importance of just and responsible leadership. The two women in this story were waiting for the shepherds to finish watering their flocks before they could water their own. This delay was due to the negligence of the shepherds, who were not fulfilling their responsibilities. This serves as a reminder that leaders should prioritize the needs and welfare of their people, and their actions should reflect justice and responsibility.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a timeless reminder for Muslims to be vigilant in selecting leaders who possess the qualities of righteousness, knowledge, and justice. When nations appoint leaders who are depraved, corrupt, or unworthy, they pave the way for their own downfall. The consequences of such appointments can be seen throughout history, where nations have crumbled due to the mismanagement and corruption of their leaders.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of actively participating in the selection of our leaders, whether in political, social, or religious spheres. We must strive to choose individuals who are knowledgeable, just, and possess the qualities of leadership that are in line with the teachings of Islam. By doing so, we can contribute to the prosperity and success of our nations, and protect ourselves from the disastrous consequences of appointing depraved leaders.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be cautious in selecting their leaders. It highlights the importance of appointing individuals who possess knowledge, righteousness, and justice, as the fall of nations is often a result of appointing leaders who are corrupt and unworthy. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in choosing leaders who will lead us towards success and prosperity, and protect us from the consequences of appointing depraved leaders.