Hadith #3142

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "رُبَّ رابح خاسر۔" This concise statement carries a impactful message that requires careful reflection. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (rubba) "رُبَّ" in Arabic is used to express uncertainty or ambiguity. It implies that there are numerous individuals who fall into a particular category. In this context, it refers to the many people who are perceived as winners or successful in this world. On the other hand, (khasir) "خاسر" means a loser or someone who suffers loss. Hence, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the irony that many individuals who are considered winners in worldly terms are actually losers in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To understand the depth of this statement, we must turn to the Quran, which provides guidance on the true meaning of success and failure. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3),

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes that the majority of humanity is in a state of loss, except for those who possess faith, perform righteous deeds, and encourage one another towards truth and patience.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:103-104), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Say, 'Shall We inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds? [They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work.'

These verses highlight the deception of those who consider themselves successful in this world, but their efforts are in vain when it comes to the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that true success lies in the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the attainment of eternal rewards. Worldly gains and achievements, if not accompanied by faith, righteousness, and sincere intentions, are ultimately meaningless and lead to loss in the Hereafter.

For instance, a person may accumulate vast wealth, hold high positions, and enjoy worldly luxuries, but if they neglect their religious obligations, oppress others, and engage in sinful activities, their apparent success is nothing but a facade. On the other hand, an individual who may not possess worldly riches or fame but is steadfast in their faith, performs good deeds, and strives to please Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), is truly successful in the eyes of the Almighty.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening saying serves as a wake-up call for Muslims to reassess their priorities and align their actions with the teachings of Islam. It urges us to prioritize the pursuit of righteousness, sincerity, and the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over worldly gains and temporary pleasures.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that true success lies in the Hereafter and not in the transient pleasures of this world. It serves as a cautionary message to Muslims, urging them to prioritize their spiritual growth, perform righteous deeds, and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all aspects of life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the path of true success and protect us from being among the losers.