Hadith #10017

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous successors.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the concept of destiny and its influence on human expectations and plans. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening saying in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (tadhilu al-umur li al-maqadir) "تَذِلُّ الأُمُورُ لِلْمَقاديرِ" which can be translated as

destiny holds sway over the expectations [and plans of man].

The word (maqadir) "مَقَادِير" refers to the predetermined measures and decrees set by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for every aspect of creation. It implies that everything in this world, including the outcomes of our plans and expectations, is ultimately determined by the divine decree.

To understand this concept further, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Qamar (54:49),

Indeed, all things We created with predestination.

This verse emphasizes that everything in the universe, including the events that occur in our lives, is predestined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Our plans and expectations are subject to the divine decree, and it is Allah's will that ultimately determines the outcome.

Another verse that supports this concept is found in Surah Al-An'am (6:59), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.

This verse highlights the comprehensive knowledge and control of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over every aspect of creation, including the smallest details. It reaffirms that nothing happens in this world without His knowledge and decree.

Now, let us reflect on the beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses. The Hadith teaches us that despite our best efforts and meticulous planning, our expectations and plans are subject to the divine decree. We may have certain aspirations and goals, but ultimately, it is Allah's will that determines the outcome. This understanding should humble us and remind us of our limited control over the events of our lives.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound wisdom and knowledge, highlights the reality that destiny prevails over our expectations and plans until death occurs in the execution of our own plans. This means that our lives are finite, and we are bound by the limits of time and mortality. Our plans and expectations may be altered or even come to an end due to the inevitability of death. This understanding should motivate us to prioritize our actions and make the most of the time we have in this world.

Furthermore, this Hadith reminds us of the importance of relying on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our endeavors. While we should strive and plan for the future, we must also recognize that our plans are subject to the divine decree. Therefore, it is crucial to seek Allah's guidance and blessings in all our actions, knowing that He alone has ultimate control over the outcomes.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder of the concept of destiny and its influence on our expectations and plans. It emphasizes that everything in this world is ultimately determined by the divine decree of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should strive and plan for the future, but always with the understanding that our plans are subject to His will. This realization should motivate us to seek Allah's guidance, prioritize our actions, and make the most of the time we have in this world. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us wisdom and understanding in accepting His decree and aligning our plans with His will.