Hadith #4973

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his noble family, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of actively seeking knowledge, following the right path, and holding onto guidance for salvation. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this amazing Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us analyze the key words in this Hadith. The word (hukman) "حُكْماً" refers to a ruling or judgment. It signifies the importance of paying attention to the teachings and rulings of Islam. The word (rushd) "رَشَادٍ" means the right path or guidance, indicating the importance of following the correct way in all aspects of life. Lastly, (hujzah) "حُجْزَةِ" refers to a guide or a rope, symbolizing the need to hold onto the teachings and guidance of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ).

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the teachings of this Hadith. In Surah Al-Zumar, verse 18, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Those who listen to the word, then follow the best of it. Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the people of understanding.

This verse emphasizes the importance of actively listening to the teachings of Islam and following the best of it, which aligns with the first part of the Hadith.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 56, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse highlights that true guidance comes from Allah alone, and it is our duty to seek it and hold onto it, as mentioned in the second and third parts of the Hadith.

Now, let us reflect on the essence of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the importance of actively seeking knowledge and heeding it. Merely hearing a ruling is not enough; we must internalize it and apply it in our lives. This aligns with the Quranic teachings that urge us to listen attentively and follow the best of what we hear.

Furthermore, the Hadith emphasizes the importance of being invited to the right path and approaching it. This implies that guidance is not something we stumble upon by chance; rather, it requires a conscious effort to seek and embrace it. This aligns with the Quranic teachings that remind us of the need to actively seek guidance and follow the path of righteousness.

Lastly, the Hadith highlights the significance of holding onto the guide or the rope of Allah. This signifies the importance of adhering to the teachings of Islam and not deviating from them. Just as a rope provides stability and safety, holding onto the guidance of Allah ensures our salvation and protection from straying into falsehood.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to actively seek knowledge, follow the right path, and hold onto the guidance of Allah. By doing so, we can attain salvation and live a life in accordance with the teachings of Islam. May Allah grant us the ability to heed His rulings, approach the right path, and hold onto His guidance.