Hadith #5219

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَعَ الشِّقاقِ تَكُونُ النَّبْوَةُ۔

This can be translated as

With dissension there is aversion.

In this profound statement, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the relationship between discord and the decline of prophethood.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (shiqaq) "شِّقاقِ" refers to dissension, division, or strife. It implies the presence of conflicts, disagreements, and disunity among people. The word (an-nabwah) "النَّبْوَةُ" refers to prophethood, which is a divine appointment bestowed upon chosen individuals to guide humanity towards righteousness and truth.

To shed light on the wisdom behind this Hadith, we turn to the Quran, the ultimate source of guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of unity and warns against division and discord. In Surah Al-Imran (3:103), Allah says,

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.

This verse emphasizes the need for Muslims to unite and avoid division, as it weakens the community and hinders the progress of the ummah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:46), Allah warns,

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart.

This verse highlights the negative consequences of disputes and disagreements, which can lead to a loss of strength and unity. It is clear that discord and dissension are detrimental to the well-being and progress of the Muslim community.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement,

With dissension there is aversion,

serves as a reminder of the consequences that arise from division and discord. When people are engaged in constant conflicts and disagreements, they become averse to the guidance and teachings of the prophets. The unity and harmony necessary for the acceptance and implementation of divine guidance are compromised in an atmosphere of strife and division.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of maintaining unity and avoiding disputes within the Muslim ummah. Unity is not only a means of strength and progress but also a prerequisite for the acceptance of prophetic guidance. When Muslims are united, they are more receptive to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), including Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself.

The consequences of dissension and division can be seen throughout history. When Muslims were divided and engaged in internal conflicts, their power and influence declined. Conversely, during times of unity and cooperation, the Muslim ummah flourished and achieved great heights. This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize unity and work towards resolving conflicts and disagreements within the community.

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

With dissension there is aversion,

emphasizes the negative consequences of division and discord within the Muslim ummah. It reminds us of the importance of unity and the detrimental effects of disputes on the acceptance and implementation of prophetic guidance. Muslims should strive for unity, resolve conflicts, and work towards a harmonious and strong community, in order to uphold the teachings of Islam and fulfill their responsibilities as followers of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions.