Hadith #988

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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,

لَو كانَ لِرَبِّكَ شَريكٌ لأتَتْكَ رُسُلُهُ۔

This Hadith is a thought-provoking saying made by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and the fourth caliph of the Muslim Ummah. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (partner) "شَريكٌ" and (his prophets) "رُسُلُهُ". The word "شَريكٌ" refers to a partner or associate, someone who shares in the attributes, power, or authority of another. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to a partner or associate of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word "رُسُلُهُ" means "his prophets," indicating the messengers sent by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To understand the essence of this Hadith, we must turn to the Quran, the ultimate source of guidance for all Muslims. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) clearly states in Surah Al-An'am (6:124),

And when a sign comes to them, they say, 'Never will we believe until we are given like that which was given to the messengers of Allah.' Allah is most knowing of where He places His message. There will afflict those who committed crimes debasement before Allah and severe punishment for what they used to conspire.

This verse emphasizes that the disbelievers demanded miracles and signs similar to those given to the messengers of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) before they would believe. However, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) knows best where to place His message and whom to appoint as His messengers. If Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) had a partner, as the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, then surely His prophets would have come with the message of that partner as well.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:35), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And if their evasion is difficult for you, then if you are able to seek a tunnel into the earth or a stairway into the sky to bring them a sign, [then do so]. But if Allah had willed, He would have united them upon guidance. So never be of the ignorant.

This verse highlights that even if the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) were to perform extraordinary miracles, the disbelievers would still find excuses to reject the truth. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states that if He had willed, He could have united all people upon guidance. This further supports the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) by emphasizing that if Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) had a partner, then surely His prophets would have come with a unified message.

The exegesis of this Hadith highlights the uniqueness and oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It emphasizes that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is not in need of any partner or associate, and that His prophets were sent with a unified message to guide humanity. This Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that the concept of Tawheed (monotheism) is fundamental to our faith, and that we should not associate partners with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in any way.

As Muslims, we should reflect upon this Hadith and strive to deepen our understanding of the oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should also appreciate the wisdom and knowledge of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who eloquently expressed this profound truth. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the straight path and grant us the ability to comprehend the depths of His divine wisdom.