Hadith #1043

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

ما أمَرَ اللّهُ سُبْحانَهُ بشَيْء إلاّ وأعانَ علَيهِ۔

This can be translated as,

Allah, the Glorified, does not command anything except that He assists [the people] towards it.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (amara) "أمَرَ" means to command or order, while (Allah) "اللّهُ" refers to the Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. (Subhanahu) "سُبْحَانَهُ" is an attribute of Allah, indicating His perfection and transcendence. The word (bishay) "بشَيْء" means anything, encompassing all matters and affairs. (illa) "إلاّ" means except, and (wa'aana) "وأعانَ" means to assist or help.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286),

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse highlights the mercy and wisdom of Allah, as He does not command us to do something that is beyond our capabilities. He assists us in fulfilling His commands by providing us with the necessary guidance, strength, and resources.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:62), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And if they intend to deceive you - then indeed, Allah is sufficient for you. It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers.

This verse emphasizes that Allah is always there to support and assist His believers, especially in times of difficulty or when facing deception from others. He is our ultimate helper and protector.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement further highlights the concept of divine assistance in fulfilling Allah's commands. It reminds us that Allah's commands are not burdensome or impossible to fulfill. Rather, Allah, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, provides us with the necessary means and support to carry out His commands successfully.

For example, when Allah commands us to establish prayer, He provides us with the knowledge of how to perform it, the physical ability to do so, and the spiritual guidance to connect with Him. When Allah commands us to give charity, He blesses us with the means to fulfill this obligation and rewards us manifold for our generosity. In every aspect of our lives, Allah's assistance is present, enabling us to fulfill our duties and obligations as Muslims.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking Allah's assistance in all our endeavors. We should never rely solely on our own abilities and resources, but rather turn to Allah for guidance and support. By seeking His help, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and recognize that true success lies in His hands.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that Allah, the Glorified, does not command anything except that He assists us towards it. This divine assistance is evident in the Quran, where Allah assures us that He does not burden us beyond our capabilities and that He is always there to support and help us. As Muslims, we should strive to fulfill Allah's commands, while constantly seeking His assistance and relying on His guidance. May Allah grant us the ability to fulfill His commands and may He always be our source of strength and support.