Hadith #3893

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 the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights one of the troubles that can be experienced in this world. The key words in this Hadith are (nakad al-dunya) "نَكَدِ الدُّنيا", which can be translated as

the troubles of this world,

(tanghisu al-ijtima' bil-furqah) "تَنْغيصُ الاِجتِماعِ بِالفُرْقَةِ", which means

the spoiling of union by separation,

and (al-suroor bi al-ghussah) "السُّروُرِ بالغُصَّةِ", which can be translated as "happiness by distress."

To understand the essence of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Imran, verse 103:

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

This verse emphasizes the importance of unity and warns against division. It is through unity that Muslims can find strength and success in this world.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 46, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

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 divisions among Muslims. It weakens their resolve and diminishes their strength.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the gate of knowledge and wisdom, understood the importance of unity and the detrimental effects of division. He recognized that one of the troubles of this world is the spoiling of union by separation. When Muslims are divided, their collective strength is weakened, and they become vulnerable to external threats and internal conflicts.

The Imam also spoke of the spoiling of happiness by distress. When Muslims are in a state of distress, whether it be due to personal hardships or societal challenges, it can lead to a decline in their overall well-being and happiness. This distress can arise from various sources such as economic difficulties, political instability, or social injustices.

To illustrate this point, let us reflect on the example of the early Muslim community during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). In the Battle of Uhud, the Muslims initially experienced victory but were later faced with a setback due to disobedience and division among their ranks. This led to distress and loss of life among the Muslims. It serves as a reminder that unity is crucial for success and happiness, while division can lead to distress and loss.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of unity and the negative consequences of division. It highlights the troubles of this world that arise from the spoiling of union by separation and happiness by distress. Muslims should strive to maintain unity in their communities, as it is through unity that they can find strength, success, and true happiness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the wisdom to overcome the troubles of this world.