Hadith #1163

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the qualities that a leader should possess. It states,

A leader needs a wise mind, an eloquent tongue, and a heart that is steadfast in the establishment of truth.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings of these words and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The first quality mentioned is a "wise mind" or "qalb 'aql." The word "qalb" refers to the heart, but in this context, it signifies the intellect and wisdom of a leader. It highlights the importance of having a leader who possesses deep understanding, knowledge, and the ability to make wise decisions. This quality is essential for guiding the ummah towards righteousness and justice.

The Quran supports the significance of wisdom in leadership. In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (28:35)

And give me a minister from my family - Aaron, my brother. Increase through him my strength and let him share my task, that we may exalt You much and remember You much.

Here, Prophet Musa (Moses) (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) asks Allah to appoint his brother, Haroon (Aaron), as his minister due to his wisdom and eloquence. This demonstrates the importance of having a wise and knowledgeable leader.

The second quality mentioned is an "eloquent tongue" or "lisan qawl." This refers to the ability to effectively communicate and articulate ideas. A leader must possess the skill to convey their thoughts and teachings clearly to the people. An eloquent tongue enables a leader to inspire, motivate, and guide the ummah towards righteousness.

In the Quran, Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) praises Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) for his eloquence. In Surah Ash-Shu'ara, Allah says, (26:69-70)

And mention in the Book, Abraham. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. When he said to his father, 'O my father, why do you worship that which does not hear and does not see and will not benefit you at all?'

Prophet Ibrahim's eloquence allowed him to effectively communicate the truth to his father and the people of his time.

The third quality mentioned is a

heart that is steadfast in the establishment of truth

or

janan 'ala iqamat al-haqq.

This refers to a leader's unwavering commitment to upholding and establishing the truth. It signifies the importance of integrity, honesty, and righteousness in leadership. A leader with a steadfast heart is not swayed by personal interests or external pressures but remains dedicated to justice and truth.

The Quran emphasizes the significance of steadfastness in the establishment of truth. In Surah Al-A'raf, Allah says, (7:156)

And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakah; and they were worshippers of Us.

This verse refers to the appointment of the Prophets as leaders who were steadfast in their mission of guiding the people towards righteousness and establishing the truth.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the qualities that a leader should possess. It highlights the importance of wisdom, eloquence, and steadfastness in leadership. A leader who possesses these qualities can effectively guide the ummah towards righteousness, justice, and the establishment of truth.

Reflecting on this hadith, we should strive to seek leaders who embody these qualities and also work towards developing these qualities within ourselves. As Muslims, we have a responsibility to support and follow leaders who possess wisdom, eloquence, and a steadfast commitment to the truth. By doing so, we can contribute to the betterment of our communities and the ummah as a whole. May Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) guide us in choosing and becoming leaders who embody these qualities and lead with wisdom, eloquence, and a steadfast commitment to the truth.