Hadith #4372

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

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

رِزْقُكَ يَطْلُبُكَ، فَأرِحْ نَفْسَكَ مِنْ طَلَبِهِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

Your sustenance is seeking you, so spare yourself the trouble of seeking it.

In this enlightening Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the concept of sustenance or provision (رِزْقُكَ) and advises us to refrain from excessive efforts in seeking it. To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words.

The word "رِزْقُكَ" refers to sustenance, encompassing all forms of provision that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His creation. It includes not only material wealth, such as food, clothing, and shelter, but also encompasses knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and spiritual blessings. It is important to note that sustenance is not limited to what we acquire through our own efforts, but rather, it is a divine gift that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon us.

The phrase "يَطْلُبُكَ" can be translated as "is seeking you." This implies that our sustenance is already destined for us and is actively seeking us. It emphasizes the idea that our provision is predetermined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and it will come to us at the appointed time, regardless of our efforts. This understanding aligns with the Quranic verse in Surah Hud (11:6), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to

spare ourselves the trouble of seeking it.

This does not mean that we should refrain from working or making efforts to earn a living. Rather, it emphasizes the importance of relying on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and having trust in His divine plan. It encourages us to strike a balance between our efforts and our reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This concept is beautifully illustrated in the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:62), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.

By understanding the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can find peace and contentment in knowing that our sustenance is already ordained for us. This realization should not lead to complacency or laziness, but rather it should motivate us to work diligently while placing our trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should strive to fulfill our responsibilities and make efforts to earn a living, but without becoming overly preoccupied with the pursuit of wealth or material possessions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that our sustenance is seeking us, and it will come to us in the way that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has decreed. This understanding enables us to have a balanced approach towards seeking sustenance, where we work diligently while placing our trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It also helps us to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety, knowing that our sustenance is already destined for us.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the deeper meanings of this Hadith and enable us to strike a balance between our efforts and reliance on Him. May He bless us with abundant sustenance, both in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen.