Hadith #2649

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Whoever surrenders to the truth and follows the rightful [leader] is [considered to be] among the righteous.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us analyze the key words in this Hadith. The word (istaslama) "استسلم" means to surrender or submit oneself completely. It implies a voluntary act of acknowledging the truth and accepting it wholeheartedly. The word (al-haqq) "الحق" refers to the truth, which is an attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encompasses the ultimate reality and the divine guidance revealed in the Quran.

The phrase (wa ata'a al-muhiqqa) "وأَطاعَ المُحِقَّ" means to obey the rightful or just leader. It emphasizes the importance of following the guidance of a leader who upholds the truth and acts in accordance with the divine teachings. This leader could be a religious authority, an Imam, or any individual who possesses knowledge and wisdom.

To understand the significance of surrendering to the truth and following the rightful leader, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:256),

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.

This verse emphasizes the freedom of choice in matters of faith and highlights the importance of recognizing the truth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:20), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O you who have believed, obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear [his order].

This verse emphasizes the obligation to obey the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as the rightful leader and to not deviate from his teachings.

By surrendering to the truth and following the rightful leader, one becomes among the righteous. The righteous are those who strive to align their actions and beliefs with the divine guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177),

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

Therefore, surrendering to the truth and following the rightful leader is not merely a passive act, but it requires active participation in acts of righteousness and fulfilling the rights of others. It entails embodying the qualities of faith, compassion, and generosity, as exemplified by the righteous individuals mentioned in the Quran.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of surrendering to the truth and following the guidance of a rightful leader. By doing so, Muslims can attain righteousness and strive to live a life in accordance with the teachings of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to surrender to the truth and follow the path of righteousness.