Follow a worthy leader [5:55]

Here is today's reflection from the Quran:

In Sura Maida, the Quran whilst talking about whom to take as a Wali, says:

Your Wali is only Allah, His Apsotle, and the faithful of those who keep up prayers and give alms while they bow. [Quran 5:55]

As we commemorate the occasion of the martyrdom of Imam Ali (as), let us reflect on this verse to remind us of his position as various scholars from all schools of Islamic thought concur that this verse was revealed in response to an act of Imam Ali [as].

Before we begin reflecting on the verse, let us examine a key word in this verse which is Wali:

The word Walī in Arabic has various meanings in English, a friend, protector, guardian, leader, one whom a follower inclines to, to name a few. 

Although it can mean friend, in the context of this verse, Scholars argue that it means something more than an ordinary friend. Scholars explain that it is not possible that Allah would tell us to befriend only those who have these two specific qualities. Therefore, they explain, that Walī here means a leader, both in a physical and a spiritual sense, for the guidance of believers. It must also be noted that no Prophetic traditions are reported for this verse which would support the use of Wali for friend in this verse. 

The verse begins by talking about how the believers should only take 3 entities as one's primary leaders, protectors or guardians:

1.     God: One's primary protector (Wali) is God, one of whose Names is Wali

2.     His Prophet [saw] and then

3.     Other believers as awliya' who are distinguished by two primary and very specific qualities:

a.     they establish salaat and 

b.     they give charity while they bow [that is, in a state of salaat while in the state of ruku]

The verse refers to an incident in the life of the Holy Prophet (saw), which is widely reported by all major schools of Islamic thought.

A companion named Jundub reports: 'Once I performed the noon prayers in a mosque, behind the Prophet (saw) then, a beggar came in but no one attended to him. The beggar extended his hands towards the heaven and said, 'O God, bear witness! Here, in the mosque of the Prophet of God (saw) I asked (to be given something), but no one attended to me.

The Holy Prophet [saw]'s cousin and son in law, Ali (as), who was in the state of ruku', saying his prayers, gestured with his hand, inviting the beggar to take a ring which was on his little finger. The beggar stepped closer and removed the ring from Ali's (as) finger.

This incident took place in the presence of the Prophet (saw)'.

Whilst reflecting on the occasion of revelation of this verse, it is interesting to note that no one heard the man when he called out to the people but when he complained to, and asked God directly, He answered his call through this action of Imam Ali (as)

In the first instance, let us use this verse to remind ourselves to follow worthy leaders, specially those that have been chosen and ratified by God Himself. 

Secondly, we can also use this verse to encourage the practice of giving charity whenever it is required and scholars use it to remind believers to emulate Ali's example by giving charity as soon as one recognizes that someone is in need.

On a broader level, this verse also teaches us that worshipping Him cannot be separated from serving humanity.

In fact, the message of Islam can be encapsulated thus:

Believe and Do Good.

Worship Him and serve His creation.

Connect to Divinity and recognize and attend to the needs of humanity.

Imam Ali (as)'s charity during the act of ritual worship combined the essence of Islam in one single unified action.

How cool is that?