Hadith #2940

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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) is a wise utterance that carries deep wisdom and insight. Let us delve into its exegesis to understand its meaning and implications.

The key words in this Hadith are (as you did) "آنَيْتُم", (pillar) "عَمُودٌ", and (plant) "عُودٌ". The word "آنَيْتُم" refers to the actions and deeds of the people being addressed. It implies that if the people had followed the same path as those being referred to, the consequences would have been dire.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that if they had acted in the same way, no (pillar) "عَمُودٌ" of the religion would be left standing. This metaphorical usage of the word "عَمُودٌ" signifies the foundational principles and pillars of Islam. It highlights the importance of adhering to these principles in order to maintain the integrity and strength of the religion.

To support this understanding, we find a parallel in the Quran where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the believers as the (foundation) "أَسَاسُ" of a building. In Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:7), Allah says,

Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - they are the best of creatures. Their reward with Allah will be gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. That is for whoever has feared his Lord.

The second part of the Hadith states that no (plant) "عُودٌ" of faith would grow. This metaphorical usage of the word "عُودٌ" signifies the growth and development of faith within the hearts of individuals. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing and cultivating faith in order to strengthen one's relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) compares the growth of faith to the growth of a plant. In Surah Ibrahim (14:24-25), Allah says,

Do you not see how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky? It produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord. And Allah presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the importance of individual actions and their impact on the overall state of the religion. He is emphasizing that if people were to follow misguided paths, neglecting the foundational principles and failing to nurture their faith, the consequences would be detrimental to the religion as a whole.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant in their actions and to uphold the pillars of Islam. It urges us to constantly strive for the growth and development of our faith, as individuals and as a community. By doing so, we contribute to the strength and vitality of the religion, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to follow the path of righteousness and to uphold the pillars of Islam. May He bless us with steadfastness in our faith and enable us to be a source of growth and strength for the religion.