Hadith #1659

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all 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,

خَيْرُ الإجْتِهادِ ما قارَنَهُ التَّوْفيقُ۔

This can be translated as,

The best striving is that which is accompanied by [divinely granted] success.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and their implications. The word (ijtihad) "إجْتِهادِ" refers to exerting one's utmost effort and striving in the path of righteousness. It encompasses the physical, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of our lives. It is a comprehensive term that encompasses all forms of effort and struggle.

The word (tawfiq) "تَّوْفيقُ" refers to the divine assistance and guidance that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His servants. It is the ultimate success that is granted by Allah to those who sincerely strive in His cause. Tawfiq is not merely the result of human efforts, but it is a blessing from Allah that enables us to achieve success beyond our own capabilities.

The profound wisdom of this Hadith can be further understood by reflecting upon the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 30:

And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.

This verse highlights the importance of striving in the face of adversity and challenges. The disbelievers plotted against the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the early Muslims, but their plans were ultimately thwarted by the divine plan of Allah. This exemplifies the concept of ijtihad, where the believers exerted their utmost efforts, and their striving was accompanied by the divine success granted by Allah.

Another verse that sheds light on the meaning of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 69:

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes that those who strive for the sake of Allah will be guided by Him. It is through their sincere efforts and dedication that Allah grants them success and guidance. This aligns perfectly with the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), where he highlights the importance of striving in a manner that is accompanied by the divine success granted by Allah.

The implications of this Hadith are profound. It teaches us that our efforts and striving should not be limited to our own capabilities and understanding. Rather, we should seek the assistance and guidance of Allah in all our endeavors. True success lies in recognizing our dependence on Allah and seeking His help in all aspects of our lives.

Furthermore, this Hadith reminds us that success is not solely measured by the outcome of our efforts, but by the sincerity and righteousness of our intentions. Even if our efforts do not yield the desired results in this world, if they are accompanied by the divine success granted by Allah, they are indeed the best form of striving.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, highlights the importance of aligning our efforts with the divine will and seeking the assistance of Allah in all our endeavors. By doing so, we not only maximize our chances of success in this world, but we also attain the ultimate success in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the best form of striving is one that is accompanied by the divine success granted by Allah. It emphasizes the importance of aligning our efforts with the divine will and seeking the assistance and guidance of Allah in all aspects of our lives. May Allah grant us the ability to strive sincerely and may He bless our efforts with His divine success.