Hadith #10747

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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 highlights two important qualities that make a person the best among others. The first quality is dealing with others gently, with kindness and compassion. The second quality is being sagacious, which means having wisdom, insight, and understanding. This person is also described as being persevering on the truth, meaning they are steadfast and patient in upholding and defending the truth.

To understand the significance of these qualities, let us delve into the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of gentleness and kindness in our interactions with others. In Surah Al-Imran, Allah says, (Quran 3:159)

And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you

This verse highlights the effectiveness of gentleness in winning the hearts of people and maintaining strong relationships.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as being gentle and kind towards the believers. In Surah At-Tawbah, Allah says, (Quran 9:128)

There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful

This verse exemplifies the Prophet's (ﷺ) gentle nature and serves as a role model for us to follow.

The second quality mentioned in the Hadith is sagacity or wisdom. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom in the Quran. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 2:30)

And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.' They said, 'Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?' Allah said, 'Indeed, I know that which you do not know'

This verse highlights the superiority of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) over the angels due to his knowledge and wisdom.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the gate of knowledge and wisdom, exemplified this quality throughout his life. His profound understanding of the Quran and his ability to apply its teachings in various situations is well-known among Muslims. He was known for his sagacity, insight, and deep understanding of the truth.

The consequence of embodying these qualities is that one becomes a source of guidance and inspiration for others. By dealing gently with others, we create an environment of love, compassion, and understanding. This fosters strong bonds of brotherhood and unity among Muslims. By being sagacious and persevering on the truth, we become a beacon of light, guiding others towards the path of righteousness.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to emulate the qualities of gentleness and sagacity in our interactions with others. We should be mindful of our words and actions, always seeking to bring comfort and ease to those around us. We should also seek knowledge and wisdom, continuously striving to understand the truth and uphold it with patience and perseverance.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody these qualities and become the best among people. May He guide us to follow the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the teachings of the Quran. Ameen.