Hadith #2769

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

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

إذَا اسْتَوْلَى اللِّئامُ أُضْطُهِدَ الكِرامُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

When the wicked become rulers, the honourable are persecuted.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. The word (li'aam) "لِّئَامُ" refers to the wicked or the lowly individuals who lack moral integrity and righteousness. They are characterized by their oppressive and unjust behavior. On the other hand, the word (kiraam) "كِرَامُ" refers to the honorable and noble individuals who possess virtuous qualities and strive to uphold justice and righteousness.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Qur'an for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 249:

And when Saul set out with the soldiers, he said, 'Indeed, Allah will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand.' But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said, 'There is no power for us today against Goliath and his soldiers.' But those who were certain that they would meet Allah said, 'How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allah. And Allah is with the patient.'

This verse highlights the struggle of the honorable believers against the oppressive forces. Despite being outnumbered and facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge, the believers who were certain of meeting Allah remained steadfast and relied on His support. They recognized that victory does not solely depend on numerical strength, but rather on the strength of faith and perseverance.

Similarly, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the plight of the honorable individuals when the wicked assume positions of power. It serves as a reminder that during such times, the righteous may face persecution and oppression. However, it also highlights the importance of remaining steadfast in upholding justice and righteousness, regardless of the circumstances.

Another verse from the Qur'an that resonates with the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 30:

And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.

This verse recounts the plot of the disbelievers against the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the early Muslims. Despite their evil intentions, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) foiled their plans and protected His Messenger and the believers. It serves as a reminder that no matter how powerful or oppressive the wicked may become, Allah's plan and ultimate justice will prevail.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the impactful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. It serves as a call to action for Muslims to remain steadfast in upholding justice and righteousness, even in the face of adversity and persecution. It reminds us that the power of the wicked is temporary and that Allah's plan will ultimately prevail.

This Hadith also serves as a motivation for the honorable individuals to continue their struggle for justice, knowing that their efforts are not in vain. It reminds us that throughout history, small groups of righteous individuals have overcome oppressive forces, with the support and guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, this Hadith prompts us to reflect on the consequences of allowing the wicked to assume positions of power. When the wicked become rulers, corruption, injustice, and persecution often prevail. It is the duty of Muslims to strive for virtuous leadership and to resist the oppression and injustice perpetrated by those who lack moral integrity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to remain steadfast in upholding justice and righteousness, even in the face of adversity and persecution. It highlights the temporary nature of the power of the wicked and emphasizes the ultimate victory of Allah's plan. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and guidance to uphold justice and righteousness in all aspects of our lives.