Hadith #11063

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, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "التَّوْفِيقُ رَأسُ النَّجاحِ۔" This can be translated as,

God-given success is the fountainhead of prosperity.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this wise utterance in light of the Quran. The word (tawfiq) "تَوْفِيق" refers to divine guidance, assistance, and enabling grace from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is the key to attaining success and prosperity in all aspects of life. The word (ra's) "رَأْسُ" means the head or the source, indicating that tawfiq is the foundation and essence of all achievements and accomplishments.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that highlight the importance of seeking tawfiq from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and recognizing it as the ultimate source of success. Allah says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29),

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse emphasizes that by fearing Allah and seeking His guidance, He will grant us the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and He will forgive our sins.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11), Allah says,

O you who have believed, when you are told, 'Make room in assemblies,' then make room; Allah will make space for you. And when you are told, 'Arise,' then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse highlights that when believers are willing to accommodate others and rise for the sake of Allah, He will elevate them in status and grant them success.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that tawfiq is not merely a result of personal efforts or worldly means, but it is a divine blessing bestowed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) upon those who sincerely seek His guidance and rely on Him. It reminds us that true success and prosperity can only be achieved when we align our actions and intentions with the will of Allah.

For example, imagine a student who has diligently prepared for an exam but still feels anxious and uncertain. It is through the tawfiq of Allah that the student's efforts are crowned with success. This success is not solely based on the student's hard work, but it is the result of Allah's guidance and favor. Similarly, in any endeavor, whether it be personal, professional, or spiritual, it is through tawfiq that we are able to overcome challenges, make wise decisions, and achieve favorable outcomes.

Understanding the significance of tawfiq leads us to reflect upon our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reminds us to constantly seek His guidance, to humble ourselves before Him, and to acknowledge that our success is ultimately in His hands. This realization instills a sense of gratitude, humility, and reliance on Allah, which in turn strengthens our faith and deepens our connection with Him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that tawfiq, the divine enabling grace from Allah, is the foundation of all success and prosperity. It reminds us to seek Allah's guidance, rely on Him, and recognize that our achievements are ultimately a result of His favor. By understanding and internalizing this concept, we can strive towards a life of righteousness, fulfillment, and spiritual growth. May Allah grant us all tawfiq in our endeavors and bless us with success in this world and the Hereafter.