Hadith #2962

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) expresses his deep conviction and unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness. He begins by swearing by Allah, the Almighty, that he would willingly endure immense hardships, such as spending a sleepless night on the thorns of al-Sa‘dān or being shackled in chains as a prisoner, rather than meeting Allah and His Prophet as an oppressor or usurper.

The Imam's words highlight his profound understanding of the consequences of injustice and oppression. He recognizes that meeting Allah and His Prophet with the burden of oppressing any of His servants or usurping their rights would be a grave sin and a source of eternal regret. This demonstrates the Imam's unwavering commitment to justice and his refusal to compromise his principles, even in the face of personal hardship.

To further understand the depth of Imam Ali's conviction, let us turn to the Quran, which provides us with numerous verses emphasizing the importance of justice and the severe consequences of oppression. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:8):

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes the importance of standing firm in justice, even if it goes against one's own interests or the interests of loved ones. It reminds us that Allah's command to be just is absolute and should not be compromised. Imam Ali's commitment to justice, as expressed in the hadith, aligns perfectly with this Quranic injunction.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:160), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against oppression, saying:

Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof [to his credit], and whoever comes with an evil deed will not be recompensed except the like thereof; and they will not be wronged.

This verse serves as a reminder that every action, whether good or evil, will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment. Imam Ali's words reflect his understanding of this divine principle, as he prioritizes righteousness over personal gain or worldly possessions. He recognizes that oppressing others or usurping their rights will only lead to a severe reckoning in the hereafter.

Imam Ali's profound reflection on the transient nature of worldly possessions is also evident in his words. He questions the wisdom of oppressing others for the sake of material possessions that are fleeting and ultimately lead to destruction. This sentiment is echoed in the Quran in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

This verse reminds us that the material possessions and worldly pursuits that often drive people to oppress others are merely temporary and will eventually fade away. Imam Ali's insightful reflection on this reality serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize their actions and intentions based on the eternal consequences rather than temporary gains.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with a profound insight into his unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness. His words reflect his deep understanding of the consequences of oppression and the transient nature of worldly possessions. By swearing by Allah, he emphasizes his refusal to meet Allah and His Prophet as an oppressor or usurper. This hadith serves as a timeless reminder for all Muslims to prioritize justice and righteousness in all aspects of their lives, even in the face of personal hardships or temptations. May Allah guide us all to follow in the footsteps of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the strength to uphold justice and righteousness in all our actions.