Hadith #11070

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

لانِعْمَةَ أفْضَلُ مِنَ التَّوفيقِ۔

This can be translated as,

There is no blessing greater than God-given success.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (ni'mah) "نِعْمَةَ" refers to a blessing or favor bestowed upon someone. It can be any form of goodness or grace that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His servants. The word (afdal) "أفْضَلُ" means superior or greater in rank or excellence. It signifies the highest level of goodness or blessing. Finally, the word (tawfiq) "التَّوفيقِ" refers to divine success or guidance that enables a person to achieve their goals and fulfill their responsibilities.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 28:68)

And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice.

This verse highlights the concept of divine choice and guidance. It emphasizes that true success comes from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone, as He is the one who determines and grants success according to His wisdom and will.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 8:123)

And Allah had certainly helped you at Badr when you were weak. Be, then, conscious of Allah; perhaps you will be grateful.

This verse highlights the importance of relying on Allah's help and guidance in times of difficulty and weakness. It demonstrates that true success is not achieved through our own efforts alone, but through the divine assistance and favor of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we understand that the ultimate blessing is the divine success that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grants to His servants. This success is not limited to material wealth or worldly achievements, but encompasses all aspects of life, including spiritual growth, moral excellence, and the fulfillment of one's purpose in this world.

When we acknowledge that success is a gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we are humbled and recognize our dependence on Him. This realization instills in us a sense of gratitude and humility, as we understand that our achievements are not solely the result of our own abilities, but are a manifestation of Allah's mercy and guidance.

Moreover, this Hadith reminds us that true success lies in aligning our actions and intentions with the divine will. It encourages us to seek Allah's guidance and strive for righteousness in all aspects of our lives. By doing so, we can attain a state of inner peace and contentment, knowing that we are fulfilling our purpose and pleasing our Creator.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the greatest blessing is the God-given success that encompasses all aspects of our lives. It reminds us to rely on Allah's guidance and to strive for righteousness in order to attain true success. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us His divine success and bless us with the ability to recognize and appreciate His blessings.