Hadith #7480

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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:

لايَنْفَعُ عِلْمٌ بِغَيْرِ تَوْفِيق۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of divine guidance and blessings in order for knowledge to be beneficial. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (knowledge) "عِلْمٌ" refers to the acquisition of information, understanding, and wisdom. It encompasses both religious and worldly knowledge. Knowledge is undoubtedly valuable and essential for personal growth and societal progress. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that knowledge alone is not sufficient for its benefits to be realized.

The word (success) "تَوْفِيق۔" refers to divine assistance, guidance, and enabling. It is the divine intervention that allows one to utilize their knowledge effectively and achieve positive outcomes. Without the blessings and support of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), knowledge remains dormant and fails to bring about meaningful change in one's life or society.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the message of this Hadith. In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says: (Quran 8:17)

And you did not shoot when you shot, but it was Allah who shot that He might test the believers with a good test. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

This verse highlights the importance of divine intervention in the success of any action. Even if one possesses the knowledge and skills to accomplish a task, it is ultimately Allah's support and guidance that determines the outcome.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states: (Quran 8:24)

And Allah had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing the enemy by His permission until [the time] when you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given by the Prophet] and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love. Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then he turned you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. And He has already forgiven you, and Allah is the possessor of bounty for the believers.

This verse illustrates the significance of divine support in achieving victory. Despite possessing knowledge and skills in warfare, the Muslims were unsuccessful when they disobeyed the Prophet's orders. It was only through divine guidance and forgiveness that they were able to overcome their shortcomings and achieve success.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that knowledge alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by divine guidance and blessings for it to be truly beneficial. This Hadith encourages us to seek the assistance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our endeavors, whether they are religious or worldly. It teaches us humility and reliance on the Almighty, recognizing that our abilities and knowledge are limited without His support.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize that true success lies in aligning our knowledge and actions with the guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reminds us to seek His blessings and assistance in all aspects of our lives, knowing that without His divine intervention, our efforts may be in vain. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek His guidance and blessings in all our endeavors, and may He make our knowledge a means of attaining His pleasure and success in this world and the Hereafter.