Hadith #7808

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,

رِضى المُتَعَنِّتِ غايَةٌ لاتُدْرَكُ۔

This can be translated as,

Pleasing the obstinate one is a goal that cannot be attained.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (rida) "رِضَا" in this Hadith refers to "pleasing" or "satisfying." It signifies the act of bringing contentment or happiness to someone. (al-muta'annit) "المُتَعَنِّتِ" refers to "the obstinate one" or "the stubborn person." This term describes an individual who is resistant to change, refuses to listen to reason, and persists in their own opinions or desires.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (2: 265)

And whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter - We increase for him in his harvest. And whoever desires the harvest of this world - We give him thereof, but there is not for him in the Hereafter any share.

This verse highlights the importance of prioritizing the eternal rewards of the Hereafter over the temporary gains of this world. Pleasing the obstinate person, who is fixated on worldly desires and opinions, can be a futile endeavor. Their satisfaction is often driven by materialistic pursuits and personal whims, which may not align with the principles of righteousness and truth.

In Surah Al-Kahf, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) narrates the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and Khidr (peace be upon them). When Khidr made a hole in the boat of the poor fishermen, Musa questioned his actions. Khidr explained that he did so because there was a king ahead who was seizing every sound boat forcefully. By damaging the boat, Khidr saved it from falling into the hands of the oppressive ruler. This incident teaches us that sometimes, in order to uphold justice and protect the greater good, it may be necessary to displease the obstinate.

Imam Ali's statement emphasizes the difficulty in pleasing those who are obstinate in their ways. Their rigid mindset and refusal to accept alternative perspectives make it nearly impossible to satisfy them. Instead of wasting our efforts in trying to please such individuals, we should focus on seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and aligning our actions with His guidance.

Furthermore, this Hadith serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was renowned for his deep understanding and profound knowledge. His statement highlights the futility of trying to please those who lack knowledge and understanding. By acquiring knowledge and wisdom, we can discern between right and wrong, and make decisions that are pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that pleasing the obstinate person, who is driven by worldly desires and refuses to listen to reason, is an unattainable goal. Instead, we should focus on seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and aligning our actions with His guidance. This Hadith encourages us to prioritize the eternal rewards of the Hereafter over the temporary gains of this world and emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom in order to make righteous decisions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to please Him and guide us on the path of righteousness.