Hadith #6277

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of oppressing the servants of Allah. Let us delve into the exegesis of this impactful Hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (zalam) "ظَلَمَ", which means to oppress, wrong, or treat unjustly. It refers to any action that violates the rights of others and causes harm or injustice. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that whoever engages in such oppression against the servants of Allah, it is Allah Himself who becomes their adversary, taking their side against the oppressor.

This concept of Allah being the ultimate protector of the oppressed is beautifully emphasized in the Quran. In Surah Al-Hajj, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 22:41)

And those who have been oppressed, surely We will give them authority in the land, as We gave authority to those before them

This verse assures us that Allah will grant power and justice to the oppressed, ensuring that their rights are restored.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mu'minun, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 7:59-69)

And We certainly sent Noah to his people, and he said, 'O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous Day.' Said the eminent among his people, 'Indeed, we see you in clear error.' [Noah] said, 'O my people, there is not error in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds. I convey to you the messages of my Lord and advise you, and I know from Allah what you do not know. Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you? And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively. So remember the favors of Allah that you might succeed'

This passage from the Quran recounts the story of Prophet Noah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his struggle to guide his people towards the worship of Allah alone. Despite being a messenger from Allah, Prophet Noah faced opposition and rejection from his own community. The "eminent" among his people accused him of being in error. However, Noah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) firmly asserted that he was a messenger from the Lord of the worlds, conveying His messages and advising his people based on knowledge bestowed upon him by Allah.

This Quranic narrative serves as a powerful example of the consequences of oppressing the servants of Allah. The oppressors in Noah's time rejected the message of truth and belittled the messenger, just as those who oppress the servants of Allah do today. However, Allah's response to the oppressors was severe, as He sent a great flood to punish them for their transgressions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement reminds us that Allah's justice is not limited to the hereafter, but also manifests in this world. Those who oppress others may temporarily enjoy their ill-gotten gains, but ultimately, they will face the wrath of Allah. This Hadith serves as a warning to Muslims, urging them to uphold justice and treat others with fairness and compassion.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the consequences of oppressing the servants of Allah. It highlights that Allah Himself becomes the adversary of the oppressor, taking the side of the oppressed. This concept is supported by various Quranic verses, such as the story of Prophet Noah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Muslims are reminded to uphold justice and treat others with fairness, knowing that Allah's justice prevails in this world and the hereafter. May we all strive to be just and compassionate individuals, seeking the pleasure of Allah in all our actions.