Hadith #9369

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

When the vile one attains a position above his status, his condition changes [for the worse].

This Hadith highlights the consequences of an unworthy individual gaining power or authority beyond their capabilities. To fully understand the beautiful message behind this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words and explore the relevant Quranic verses.

The word (la'eem) "لَّئِيم" in Arabic refers to someone who is vile, lowly, or despicable in character. This person lacks moral integrity, humility, and righteousness. The word (miqdar) "مِقْدَارِهِ" means one's measure or limit, indicating the rightful position or status of an individual. Therefore, when the vile person exceeds their rightful position, their true nature is exposed, and their condition deteriorates.

This Hadith resonates with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of appointing qualified and righteous leaders. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:247),

Their prophet said to them, 'Indeed, Allah has chosen Talut (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 knowledge and righteousness in leadership. Talut, despite not being from a noble lineage or possessing great wealth, was chosen as a king by Allah because of his knowledge and piety. Similarly, when a vile person attains a position beyond their capabilities, their lack of knowledge and moral compass becomes evident, leading to negative consequences.

Another verse that supports the meaning of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:41), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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.'

In this incident from the life of Prophet Moses (Musa), we see the consequences of an unworthy person trying to assert authority. The man who sought Moses' help was from the same faction, but his intentions were not sincere. He was attempting to manipulate Moses and create discord. This highlights the importance of discernment and wisdom in recognizing the true intentions and capabilities of those who seek positions of power.

Therefore, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims that it is crucial to appoint individuals of knowledge, integrity, and righteousness to positions of authority. When individuals who lack these qualities are given power, their true nature is exposed, and their condition deteriorates, leading to negative consequences for the society as a whole.

As Muslims, we should strive to follow the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his purified progeny. This Hadith reminds us to be cautious and discerning when selecting our leaders, ensuring that they possess the necessary qualities to fulfill their responsibilities with justice and righteousness. By doing so, we can establish a just and prosperous society, in line with the teachings of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in making wise choices and grant us leaders who are deserving of their positions.