Hadith #6002

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

الطاعة تنجي، المعصية تردي

which translates to

Obedience saves and disobedience destroys.

This concise statement carries profound wisdom and guidance for all Muslims, regardless of their sect or school of thought.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith by analyzing its key words and their meanings. (al-ta'ah) "الطاعة" refers to obedience, compliance, and submission to the commands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His chosen representatives. (tunji) "تنجي" means to save, deliver, or rescue from harm or destruction. On the other hand, (al-ma'siyah) "المعصية" signifies disobedience, rebellion, and transgression against the divine commands. (turdi) "تردي" conveys the idea of destruction, ruin, or downfall.

To understand the significance of obedience and disobedience, we turn to the Quran, the ultimate source of guidance for all Muslims. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of obedience and warns against the consequences of disobedience. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 208, Allah says,

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 need for complete submission to Allah's commands, as following the path of Satan leads to destruction.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran, verse 31, Allah states,

Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'

This verse emphasizes the correlation between love for Allah and obedience to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). By following the Prophet's teachings, Muslims attain Allah's love, forgiveness, and ultimately, salvation.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder of the consequences of our actions. Obedience to Allah and His chosen representatives leads to salvation and success in this world and the Hereafter. It is through obedience that we align ourselves with the divine will and attain spiritual growth and closeness to Allah. Conversely, disobedience and rebellion against Allah's commands result in destruction and ruin.

The Hadith also highlights the importance of following the guidance of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), particularly Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) who was known for his unparalleled knowledge and understanding of Islam. His words carry weight and authority, as he was chosen by Allah and the Prophet (ﷺ) to be the gate of knowledge and the rightful successor.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for all Muslims. It emphasizes the importance of obedience to Allah and His chosen representatives, while warning against the destructive consequences of disobedience. By aligning ourselves with the divine will and following the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can attain salvation and success in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah guide us all to the path of obedience and protect us from the pitfalls of disobedience.