Hadith #9854

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 pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

Partnership in sovereignty leads to turmoil.

This concise statement holds profound wisdom and guidance for Muslims in understanding the importance of unity and avoiding division in matters of governance and leadership.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith. The word (shirkah) "شِّرْكَةُ" refers to partnership or sharing, while (fi) "فيِ" means in or within. (al-mulk) "المُلْكِ" translates to sovereignty or rulership, and (tu'adda) "تُؤَدَّي" means leads to or results in. Finally, (al-idtirab) "الاِضْطِرابِ" signifies turmoil or chaos.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of unity and warns against division and disunity among Muslims. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 103, Allah says,

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.

This verse highlights the necessity of unity and warns against the consequences of division.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 46, Allah states,

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart.

This verse emphasizes the detrimental effects of disputes and disagreements, which weaken the Muslim community and hinder their progress.

Now, let us reflect on the significance of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement. Partnership in sovereignty refers to the sharing of power and authority among multiple individuals or groups. While cooperation and consultation are essential in governance, this Hadith warns against the dangers of divided authority and decision-making.

When power is divided, conflicts of interest, disagreements, and power struggles can arise, leading to turmoil and chaos within society. This can result in a lack of effective governance, instability, and a weakened state. History has shown us numerous examples of the detrimental consequences of divided authority and the resulting turmoil.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound understanding and knowledge of the Quranic teachings enable him to provide this insightful guidance. His wisdom and foresight serve as a beacon for Muslims, reminding us of the importance of unity and the dangers of division in matters of governance.

As Muslims, we should strive for unity and cohesion, especially in matters of leadership and governance. This Hadith reminds us to seek leaders who possess the qualities of justice, wisdom, and integrity, and to avoid situations where power is divided among conflicting parties.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of unity and warns against the perils of divided authority in matters of governance. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek leaders who possess the qualities of justice and wisdom, and to avoid situations that can lead to turmoil and chaos. May Allah guide us to unity and grant us leaders who uphold justice and righteousness.