Hadith #3198

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he expresses his astonishment at the fact that the succession to the Prophet (ﷺ) is determined solely based on companionship and not on both companionship and kinship. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (succession) "الخِلافَةُ", (companionship) "الصَّحابَةِ", and (kinship) "القَرابَةِ". The term "الخِلافَةُ" refers to the leadership and authority that follows the Prophet (ﷺ) after his demise. "الصَّحابَةِ" refers to the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), those who were close to him, learned from him, and supported him during his lifetime. "القَرابَةِ" refers to the kinship or blood ties, which includes the Prophet's (ﷺ) family members, particularly his close relatives.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of both companionship and kinship in various verses. For example, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:72), Allah says,

Indeed, those who have believed and emigrated and fought with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allah and those who gave shelter and aided - they are allies of one another.

This verse highlights the importance of companionship and the bonds formed through faith and sacrifice.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah says,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking support and strength from Allah, which can be attained through both companionship and kinship.

Now, let us reflect on the wise message conveyed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith. He expresses his astonishment at the fact that the succession to the Prophet (ﷺ) is determined solely based on companionship and not on both companionship and kinship. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his astonishment highlights the importance of considering both companionship and kinship when determining leadership.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was not questioning the legitimacy of the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) or their contributions. Rather, he was highlighting the significance of the Prophet's (ﷺ) family members, who possessed a unique connection to him through blood ties. The inclusion of both companionship and kinship in the selection of leadership would have ensured a more comprehensive and balanced approach.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to value both companionship and kinship in matters of leadership and decision-making. It encourages us to consider the wisdom and guidance of the Prophet's (ﷺ) family members, who possess a deep understanding of his teachings and a special connection to him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of considering both companionship and kinship in matters of succession and leadership. It reminds us to value the wisdom and guidance of the Prophet's (ﷺ) family members, who possess a unique connection to him. By reflecting on this Hadith and its implications, Muslims can strive for a more comprehensive and balanced approach to leadership, guided by the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his noble family.