Hadith #3431

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 the seal of the Prophets, Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

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

لأن تَكُونَ تابِعاً لِلخَيْرِ خَيرٌ لَكَ مِنْ أنْ تَكُونَ مَتْبُوعاً فِي الشَّرِّ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

Indeed, being a follower in good is [much] better for you than being a leader in evil.

The key words in this Hadith are (follower) "تابِعاً", (good) "خَيْرٌ", (leader) "مَتْبُوعاً", and (evil) "شَّرِّ".

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Nisa, verse 59:

O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.

This verse emphasizes the importance of following those in authority who are righteous and just. It highlights the significance of obedience to Allah and His Messenger, as well as to the leaders who uphold the principles of goodness and righteousness. By being a follower of the good, one aligns themselves with the divine guidance and the path of righteousness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 6, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse teaches us the importance of verifying information and not blindly following someone who may lead us astray. It encourages critical thinking and discernment, urging us to be cautious of following those who promote evil or misinformation. By being a follower in good, we protect ourselves from the potential harm and regret that may come from blindly following leaders in evil.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the importance of choosing our leaders wisely. It encourages us to prioritize the pursuit of goodness and righteousness over positions of power and authority. It teaches us that it is better to be a humble follower in the path of good, guided by the teachings of Allah and His Messenger, than to be a leader in promoting evil and corruption.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek knowledge, understand the teachings of Islam, and follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words carry great weight and significance.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of being followers in good rather than leaders in evil. It encourages us to choose leaders who uphold the principles of righteousness and justice, and to be cautious of blindly following those who may lead us astray. By prioritizing goodness and righteousness, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to be steadfast in following the path of goodness and righteousness.