Hadith #9798

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

الأميرُ السُّوءُ يَصْطَنِعُ البَذِيَّ۔

This can be translated as,

An evil commander commissions the vulgar one [to work for him].

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze the key words and their implications.

Firstly, the term "الأميرُ السُّوءُ" refers to an evil commander or leader. This implies a person who possesses authority and power, but uses it in a negative and harmful manner. Such a leader may be corrupt, unjust, and devoid of moral values. It is important to note that this Hadith is not condemning all leaders, but specifically highlighting the negative qualities of those who abuse their position.

The second key term is "يَصْطَنِعُ," which means to commission or employ someone for a specific task. In this context, it refers to the evil commander appointing or utilizing the services of another individual.

Lastly, the term "البَذِيَّ" refers to the vulgar or base person who is being commissioned. This person lacks integrity, decency, and moral values. They are willing to carry out any task, regardless of its ethical implications, for personal gain or the approval of the evil commander.

To understand the wise message behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the consequences of following corrupt leaders who exploit their power. In Surah Al-Anfal, verse 73, Allah says,

And those who disbelieve are allies of one another. If you do not do so, there will be fitnah on earth and great corruption.

This verse emphasizes the importance of not aligning ourselves with those who promote corruption and disbelief.

Furthermore, the Quran highlights the importance of choosing righteous leaders who possess knowledge, wisdom, and moral character. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 26, Allah says,

He said, 'Indeed, I wish to wed you one of these, my two daughters, on [the condition] that you serve me for eight years; but if you complete ten, it will be [as a favor] from you. And I do not wish to put you in difficulty. You will find me, if Allah wills, from among the righteous.'

This verse narrates the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) when he sought refuge with a righteous man who possessed knowledge and integrity.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we can understand that an evil commander who commissions a vulgar person is a recipe for disaster. Such a combination leads to corruption, injustice, and the erosion of moral values within society. It is crucial for Muslims to be vigilant in choosing their leaders and to support those who uphold justice, righteousness, and the teachings of Islam.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the leaders they follow and to actively promote virtuous leadership. It also highlights the importance of personal integrity and moral values, as we should never compromise our principles for personal gain or the approval of corrupt individuals.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in choosing righteous leaders and grant us the wisdom to distinguish between good and evil. May we always strive to uphold justice, righteousness, and moral values in our personal lives and in society as a whole.