Hadith #11031

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.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

رُبَّ آمِر غَيْرُ مُؤْتَمِر۔

This can be translated into English as:

Many a commander [towards good] does not follow [his own] commands.

To understand the beautiful message behind this Hadith, let us first examine the key words and their meanings. The word (amir) "آمِر" refers to a commander or someone who gives orders. (ghayru) "غَيْرُ" means other than or different from. (mutamir) "مُؤْتَمِر" is derived from the root word (atamara) "اتَّمَرَ", which means to follow or act upon one's own commands.

This Hadith highlights a common human weakness where individuals may possess the knowledge and ability to guide others towards good, but fail to apply the same guidance in their own lives. It serves as a reminder that mere knowledge or authority is not enough; one must also embody the principles they advocate.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the essence of this Hadith. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:44), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) admonishes the Children of Israel, saying:

Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?

This verse emphasizes the importance of practicing what one preaches and not neglecting one's own self-improvement.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Imran (3:79), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against those who claim to be guides but do not follow their own guidance:

So woe to those who write the

scripture

with their own hands, then say, 'This is from Allah,' in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful saying serves as a reminder to Muslims that true leadership and guidance require self-reflection and self-improvement. It is not enough to simply command others towards good; one must also strive to embody those very principles in their own lives.

This Hadith encourages Muslims to introspect and evaluate their own actions and intentions. It reminds us that our words hold weight only when they are backed by our own actions. It urges us to be consistent in our beliefs and actions, ensuring that we are not hypocritical in our guidance towards others.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can draw inspiration from the life of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself. Known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was not only a commander in battles but also a leader in matters of faith and spirituality. He led by example, embodying the teachings of Islam in every aspect of his life.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) knowledge was not confined to theoretical understanding; it was reflected in his actions and decisions. He demonstrated unwavering commitment to justice, compassion, and righteousness, making him a true embodiment of the teachings of Islam.

As Muslims, we should strive to follow in the footsteps of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) by aligning our words and actions. We should not only command others towards good but also actively practice what we preach. By doing so, we can become true leaders and guides, inspiring others through our own example.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to embody the principles we advocate and guide others towards goodness. May we always strive to be consistent in our beliefs and actions, and may our words and deeds be a reflection of the true teachings of Islam.