Hadith #9836

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.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, (man tashaghal bi's-sultan lam yatafarragh lil-ikhwan)

مَنْ تَشَاغَلَ بِالسُّلْطَانِ لَمْ يَتَفَرَّغْ لِلاْخْوَانِ

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the welfare and needs of one's fellow Muslims over seeking the favor and attention of those in positions of power and authority.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze some key words. (tashaghal) "تَشَاغَلَ" means to be occupied or preoccupied with something. (as-sultan) "السُّلْطَانِ" refers to the ruler or the king. (lam yatafarragh) "لَمْ يَتَفَرَّغْ" means to not have time or be unable to attend to something. (lil-ikhwan) "لِلاْخْوَانِ" means to one's brothers, which in this context refers to fellow Muslims.

This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of unity, brotherhood, and caring for one another. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10),

The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

This verse highlights the bond of brotherhood that exists among Muslims and encourages resolving conflicts and disputes among them.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands the believers,

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.

This verse emphasizes the importance of working together for the greater good and supporting one another in acts of righteousness and piety.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith warns against becoming so engrossed in seeking the favor and attention of those in positions of power that we neglect the needs and well-being of our fellow Muslims. It serves as a reminder that our primary focus should be on serving and supporting our brothers and sisters in faith.

For example, if a Muslim dedicates all their time and energy to serving a ruler or seeking their approval, they may neglect their duty to help their fellow Muslims in times of need. They may fail to address social injustices, provide support to the vulnerable, or contribute to the betterment of the Muslim community as a whole.

This Hadith also highlights the potential consequences of prioritizing worldly power and authority over the welfare of the Muslim ummah. When individuals become preoccupied with seeking the favor of those in positions of power, they may compromise their principles and values. They may turn a blind eye to injustice, oppression, and corruption, thereby contributing to the deterioration of society.

In contrast, if Muslims prioritize attending to the needs of their brothers and sisters in faith, they contribute to the strengthening of the Muslim community. By supporting one another, they foster unity, compassion, and social justice. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of unity and caring for one another.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims to prioritize the welfare and needs of their fellow believers over seeking the favor and attention of those in positions of power. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of unity, brotherhood, and caring for one another. By prioritizing the well-being of the Muslim ummah, we contribute to the strengthening of the community and the establishment of justice and righteousness. May Allah guide us all to follow the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).