Hadith #2785

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ جارَتْ وِلايَتُهُ زالَتْ دَوْلَتُهُ۔

This hadith can be translated as,

One whose rule is oppressive, his regime collapses.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound statement in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this hadith. The word (jaarat) "جارَتْ" refers to a rule or governance, while (wilayatuhu) "وِلايَتُهُ" signifies the authority or leadership of an individual. The word (zalat) "زالَتْ" means to collapse or disintegrate, and (dawlatuhu) "دَوْلَتُهُ" refers to one's regime or government.

To comprehend the significance of this hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 5:

And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors.

This verse highlights the divine intention to elevate the oppressed and grant them leadership. It emphasizes the importance of just rule and the consequences of oppressive governance.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 249, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) recounts the story of Prophet Dawud (David) and his victory over the tyrant Goliath. This story serves as a powerful reminder that oppressive rulers and their regimes are destined to collapse. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

So they defeated them by permission of Allah, and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him the kingship and prophethood and taught him from that which He willed.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith reflects the Quranic teachings on the consequences of oppressive rule. When a ruler's authority is built upon oppression, injustice, and disregard for the rights of the people, it is bound to crumble. Such a regime lacks the foundations of justice, compassion, and fairness that are essential for its stability and longevity.

History bears witness to the truth of this hadith. Numerous oppressive rulers throughout time have seen their regimes collapse due to their tyrannical practices. The downfall of these rulers serves as a reminder to Muslims that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not support injustice and oppression. He upholds the rights of the oppressed and ensures that justice prevails.

As Muslims, we are called upon to reflect on this hadith and its implications for our own lives and societies. It reminds us of the importance of establishing just and compassionate leadership, where the rights of all individuals are respected and protected. It serves as a warning to those in positions of authority that their rule will not endure if it is built upon oppression and injustice.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that oppressive rule is destined to collapse. It aligns with the Quranic teachings that emphasize the importance of justice and compassion in governance. As Muslims, we must strive to establish just leadership in our societies, ensuring that the rights of all individuals are upheld. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in our pursuit of justice and protect us from oppressive rule.