Hadith #6305

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, as well as his noble companions.

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

ما أقْرَبَ النُّصْرَةَ مِنَ المَظْلُومِ۔

This Hadith can be translated into English as,

How close is succour to the oppressed!

This impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the nearness of divine assistance and support to those who are unjustly oppressed.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (nusrah) "نُّصْرَةَ" refers to assistance, support, or succour. It signifies the divine help that comes to the aid of the oppressed and provides relief and justice. The word (mazlum) "مَظْلُومِ" refers to the oppressed, the one who is wronged or treated unjustly.

This Hadith resonates with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of standing up for justice and supporting the oppressed. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Nisa (4:75),

And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, 'Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?'

This verse highlights the obligation to support the oppressed and fight for justice. It reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the ultimate source of assistance and protection for those who are wronged. The proximity of succour to the oppressed is emphasized here, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) promises to be their protector and helper.

Another verse that aligns with the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is found in Surah Al-Hajj (22:39), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory.

This verse highlights that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grants victory to those who have been wronged and oppressed.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement emphasizes the immediacy of divine support for the oppressed. It serves as a reminder to Muslims that they should always be on the side of justice and stand up against oppression. It also encourages individuals to be proactive in supporting those who are wronged, as succour is near to them.

This Hadith also reflects the profound knowledge and wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). As the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed a deep understanding of the teachings of Islam and the Quran. His words serve as a guiding light for Muslims, urging them to uphold justice and support the oppressed, knowing that divine assistance is close at hand.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

How close is succour to the oppressed!

emphasizes the nearness of divine support to those who are unjustly oppressed. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of standing up for justice and supporting the oppressed. Muslims are reminded to be proactive in their support for the oppressed, knowing that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is their ultimate protector and helper. May we always strive to be on the side of justice and support those who are wronged.