Hadith #9859

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The most exalted of rulers is one who is not ruled by his vain desires.

This thought-provoking Hadith emphasizes the importance of self-control and the rejection of base desires in the leadership of a ruler. Let us delve into the deeper meanings of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ajallu) "أجَلُّ" in the Hadith refers to the most exalted or noble. It signifies a ruler who possesses qualities of wisdom, righteousness, and self-restraint. Such a ruler is not swayed by his own whims and desires, but rather governs with justice and integrity. This word is derived from the root (jall) "جلّ", which means to be high, noble, or dignified.

The phrase (al-umara'i) "الأُمَراءِ" refers to rulers or leaders. It encompasses those who hold positions of authority and responsibility, whether in political, social, or religious spheres. The Hadith highlights the significance of having virtuous and self-disciplined leaders who are not enslaved by their own desires.

The term (al-hawa) "الهَوى" refers to vain desires or whims. It represents the inclinations of the ego that lead individuals astray from the path of righteousness. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to the desires that cloud one's judgment and hinder their ability to govern with justice and fairness.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 79,

Indeed, Allah does not guide one who is a transgressor and a liar.

This verse highlights the importance of righteousness and integrity in leadership. A ruler who is ruled by his vain desires is prone to transgressions and falsehood, which ultimately leads to the misguidance of the people.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 14, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found therein two men fighting: one from his faction and one from among his enemy. And the one from his faction called for help to him against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him. [Moses] said, 'This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy.'

This verse narrates the incident of Prophet Musa (Moses) (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) intervening in a dispute between two men. However, due to a momentary lapse in self-control, he unintentionally caused the death of one of them. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of being ruled by one's desires. Even a prophet, who is chosen by Allah, can make mistakes when not exercising self-restraint.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and self-control in the leadership of a ruler. A ruler who is not ruled by his vain desires is more likely to make decisions based on justice, fairness, and the greater good of the people. Such a leader is able to resist the temptations of power, wealth, and personal gain, and instead prioritizes the well-being and welfare of the society.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder for all Muslims, regardless of their position or authority, to strive for self-control and to resist the temptations of their own desires. It encourages us to reflect on our own actions and intentions, and to ensure that we are not being driven solely by our own whims and inclinations.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of self-control and the rejection of vain desires in the leadership of a ruler. It reminds us of the need for virtuous and self-disciplined leaders who prioritize justice and fairness. May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to be leaders who are not ruled by our own whims and desires, and may He grant us the wisdom and strength to govern with justice and integrity.