Hadith #9459

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the 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) highlights the challenging times that the Muslim Ummah will face, characterized by intransigence and ingratitude. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes an era where the good-doer will be regarded as an evil-doer, and the unjust will increase in their insolence. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The word (intransigence) "عَنُود" refers to a state of stubbornness, obstinacy, and refusal to change or compromise. It signifies an era where people will be resistant to accepting the truth and adhering to righteousness. This is reminiscent of the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:170), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes a similar attitude among the disbelievers:

And when it is said to them, 'Follow what Allah has revealed,' they say, 'Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers.' Even if Satan was inviting them to the punishment of the Blaze?

The word (ingratitude) "كَنُود" refers to a state of ungratefulness and lack of appreciation for the blessings bestowed upon individuals. It signifies an era where people will fail to recognize and acknowledge the good deeds of others. This is reminiscent of the Quranic verse in Surah Ibrahim (14:7), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that in such times, the good-doer will be counted as an evil-doer. This highlights the inversion of values and the distortion of truth that will prevail. Those who strive to do good and uphold righteousness will be unjustly accused and vilified. This is reminiscent of the Quranic verse in Surah Al-An'am (6:116), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the misguidance of people who attribute falsehood to the truth:

And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying.

Conversely, the unjust will increase in their insolence. This indicates that the oppressors and wrongdoers will become more audacious and brazen in their actions. They will exploit the prevailing atmosphere of intransigence and ingratitude to further their unjust agendas. This is reminiscent of the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:206), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the arrogance and transgression of the oppressors:

And when it is said to him, 'Fear Allah,' pride in the sin takes hold of him. Sufficient for him is Hellfire, and how wretched is the resting place.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see its relevance in our present times. We witness a world where truth is often rejected, and righteousness is met with resistance. Good deeds are sometimes misconstrued and criticized, while the unjust and oppressive forces continue to thrive. It is a reminder for us as Muslims to remain steadfast in our pursuit of truth and righteousness, even in the face of adversity.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, foresaw the challenges that the Muslim Ummah would face. His words serve as a reminder for us to hold fast to the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his progeny. We must strive to be among the good-doers, even if our actions are misunderstood or falsely accused. And we must never succumb to the insolence and oppression of the unjust, but rather stand firm in upholding justice and righteousness.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to navigate through these challenging times, and may He guide us to be among those who are steadfast in truth and righteousness. Ameen.