مَا اتَّقى أحَدٌ إلاّ سَهَّلَ اللّهُ مَخْرَجَهُ۔
Nobody becomes God-wary but that Allah makes his way out [of difficulties] easy.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: The God-Wary And Godfearing People)
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.
The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,
مَا اتَّقى أحَدٌ إلاّ سَهَّلَ اللّهُ مَخْرَجَهُ۔
This can be translated as,
Nobody becomes God-wary but that Allah makes his way out [of difficulties] easy.
Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. The word (ittaqa) "اتَّقى" is derived from the root word (waqa) "وَقَى", which means to protect or guard oneself. It refers to the act of being conscious of Allah's presence and avoiding anything that displeases Him. It encompasses both fear of Allah's punishment and hope for His mercy.
The word (sahhala) "سَهَّلَ" means to make something easy or facilitate it. It implies that when a person becomes God-wary, Allah, in His infinite mercy and wisdom, eases their way out of difficulties. This divine facilitation can manifest in various forms, such as removing obstacles, providing guidance, or granting success.
To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran, where Allah provides us with numerous verses that support its message.
In Surah Al-Talaq (65:2-3), Allah says,
And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.
These verses highlight that when a person truly fears Allah and places their trust in Him, He will create a way out for them from their difficulties. Allah's assistance is not limited to conventional means; He can provide sustenance from unexpected sources and bring about solutions that were unforeseen.
Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah assures us,
Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.
This verse emphasizes that Allah, in His infinite wisdom, never places a burden on a person that is beyond their capacity to handle. When a person becomes God-wary, Allah lightens their load and grants them the strength to overcome challenges.
The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder that God-consciousness is not only a means of attaining spiritual elevation but also a source of divine assistance in times of difficulty. When we strive to be mindful of Allah's presence in our lives, He, in His mercy, intervenes to ease our hardships and guide us towards the path of ease.
This Hadith also highlights the importance of taking the initiative to become God-wary. It is not enough to simply hope for ease; we must actively strive to develop our relationship with Allah through acts of worship, obedience, and self-reflection. By doing so, we open ourselves up to the divine facilitation that Allah promises.
Furthermore, this Hadith teaches us that difficulties and challenges are an integral part of life. However, when we approach them with God-consciousness, they become opportunities for growth and spiritual development. Our trials become a means of purifying our souls and strengthening our connection with Allah.
In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that when we become God-wary, Allah, in His infinite mercy, eases our way out of difficulties. This divine facilitation is not limited to conventional means but encompasses all aspects of our lives. By striving to be conscious of Allah's presence and relying on Him, we can navigate the challenges of life with ease and find solace in His divine assistance. May Allah grant us the ability to become truly God-wary and experience the blessings of His facilitation in our lives.
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