Hadith #10424

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,

رِضَا العَبْدِ عَنْ نَفسِهِ مَقْرُونٌ بِسَخَطِ رَبِّهِ۔

This can be translated as,

The person’s satisfaction with himself is [always] accompanied by the displeasure of his Lord.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this wise utterance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (rida) "رِضَا", which means satisfaction or contentment. It refers to a state of inner peace and tranquility that a person experiences when they are pleased with themselves, their actions, and their circumstances. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that this satisfaction is not enough on its own. It is (maqroon) "مَقْرُونٌ", meaning it is always accompanied by something else.

The second important word in this Hadith is (sakhath) "سَخَطِ", which means displeasure or anger. It signifies the displeasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) towards the person who is satisfied with themselves. This indicates that self-satisfaction without considering the will and pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is not sufficient for spiritual growth and righteousness.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 4:122)

But those who believe and do righteous deeds - We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide forever. [It is] the promise of Allah, [which is] truth, and who is more truthful than Allah in statement

This verse highlights the importance of both belief and righteous deeds. It emphasizes that true satisfaction and contentment come from aligning our actions with the will of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Merely being satisfied with ourselves without considering the commandments of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and striving for righteousness can lead to spiritual stagnation and the displeasure of our Lord.

Another verse that sheds light on the consequences of self-satisfaction without the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is found in Surah Al-Anfal. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 8:47)

And do not be like those who came forth from their homes insolently and to be seen by people and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And Allah is encompassing of what they do

This verse warns against the arrogance and self-satisfaction that can lead people astray from the path of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reminds us that seeking the approval and admiration of others, while neglecting the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), is a dangerous path that can result in the displeasure of our Lord.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims. It urges us to seek not only our own satisfaction but also the pleasure and approval of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It teaches us that true contentment lies in aligning our actions with the teachings of Islam and striving for righteousness.

We should constantly evaluate our intentions and actions, ensuring that they are in accordance with the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). By doing so, we can attain true satisfaction and contentment that is pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and beneficial for our spiritual growth.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to seek His pleasure and find true contentment in our lives. May He bless us with the ability to align our actions with His commandments and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble progeny. Ameen.