Hadith #9807

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 beautiful Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes the nature of transient and fleeting kingship. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (kingship) "المُلْكُ", (transient) "المُنْتَقِلُ", (fleeting) "الزّائِلُ", (wretched) "حَقيرٌ", and (insignificant) "يَسيرٌ".

The word "المُلْكُ" refers to the concept of kingship or sovereignty, which implies having authority and power over a certain domain or people. It encompasses the idea of ruling and governing.

"المُنْتَقِلُ" means transient or passing. It signifies something that is temporary, impermanent, and subject to change. It highlights the fleeting nature of worldly power and authority.

"الزّائِلُ" refers to something that is fleeting, evanescent, and ultimately perishing. It emphasizes the fact that worldly power and authority are transient and will eventually come to an end.

The word "حَقيرٌ" denotes something wretched, contemptible, and of little value. It conveys the idea that transient kingship is inherently insignificant and unworthy of admiration or pursuit.

Lastly, "يَسيرٌ" means something small, limited, or insignificant. It further emphasizes the insignificance and triviality of transient kingship.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Imran, verse 26:

Say, 'O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.'

This verse highlights the ultimate authority and sovereignty of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It emphasizes that all kingships and dominions are in His control and subject to His will. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grants and takes away power as He pleases, and He is the one who truly honors and humbles individuals.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mulk, verse 2, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.

This verse reminds us of the transient nature of life and the temporary nature of worldly power. It emphasizes that the purpose of our existence is to strive for righteousness and good deeds, not to pursue fleeting and insignificant forms of authority.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, highlights the inherent worthlessness and insignificance of transient kingship. He encourages Muslims to focus on pursuing eternal values and striving for righteousness rather than being enamored by worldly power and authority.

By describing transient kingship as wretched and insignificant, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true honor and success lie in seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and serving humanity selflessly. He urges us to reflect on the fleeting nature of worldly power and to prioritize the pursuit of eternal rewards in the hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize the pursuit of righteousness and eternal values over transient and insignificant forms of authority. It encourages us to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to strive for excellence in our deeds, rather than being consumed by the allure of worldly power. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand this message and the strength to act upon it.