Hadith #4691

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Whoever is displeased with what has been destined, adversity befalls him.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this wise utterance in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (tasakhta) "تَسَخَّطَ", which means to be displeased, resentful, or discontented. It refers to the state of being dissatisfied with the decree of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and feeling a sense of resentment towards it. This feeling of displeasure arises when one believes that their own desires or expectations have not been fulfilled.

The Hadith warns that when a person harbors such discontentment towards the divine decree, (hall bihi al-mahdhur) "حَلَّ بِهِ المَحْذُورُ", meaning adversity befalls them. This implies that their discontentment will lead to negative consequences and hardships in their life. It serves as a reminder that accepting and submitting to the divine decree is essential for attaining peace and tranquility.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of accepting and being content with the decree of Allah. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (2:216)

But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not

This verse highlights the limited knowledge and understanding of human beings compared to the all-encompassing knowledge of Allah. It reminds us that what we perceive as adversity may, in fact, be a blessing in disguise.

Furthermore, in Surah At-Tawbah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (33:36)

And it is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error

This verse emphasizes the importance of submitting to the decisions made by Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), highlighting that resisting or being displeased with the divine decree is a manifestation of going astray.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we understand that being discontent with the divine decree stems from a lack of trust in Allah's wisdom and knowledge. It is a reflection of our limited understanding and inability to comprehend the greater wisdom behind every event and circumstance in our lives. When we resist or resent what has been destined for us, we create a barrier between ourselves and the peace and blessings that Allah has in store for us.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us through this Hadith that true contentment lies in accepting and surrendering to the divine decree. By doing so, we align ourselves with the will of Allah and open ourselves to His mercy and blessings. It is through this acceptance that we find solace and tranquility, even in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be content with the divine decree. It warns against harboring discontentment and emphasizes the importance of submitting to Allah's wisdom and knowledge. By accepting what has been destined for us, we pave the way for inner peace and blessings in this life and the hereafter. May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to embrace His decree with gratitude and patience.