Hadith #6078

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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,

كُلُّ طالِب غَيْرُ اللّهِ مَطْلُوبٌ۔

This Hadith can be translated into English as,

Every seeker other than Allah is sought.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). The word (taalib) "طالِب" refers to a seeker or someone who is searching for something. In this context, it refers to anyone who seeks or desires something other than Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The word (matlub) "مَطْلُوبٌ" means "sought" or "desired." Therefore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the fact that anyone who seeks anything other than Allah will ultimately be sought after by that very thing.

This Hadith is a profound reminder for all Muslims, regardless of their sect, that true fulfillment and satisfaction can only be found in seeking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. It serves as a reminder that all our desires, ambitions, and pursuits should ultimately be directed towards pleasing Allah and seeking His pleasure.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the message of this Hadith. For example, in Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 20:124)

And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind.

This verse emphasizes the consequences of turning away from the remembrance of Allah and seeking fulfillment in worldly desires. It highlights that those who seek other than Allah will ultimately find themselves in a state of spiritual deprivation and confusion.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 28:40)

And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a narrow life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind.

This verse further emphasizes the consequences of seeking other than Allah, stating that it leads to a constricted and limited existence.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to reflect on their intentions and priorities. It urges us to evaluate whether our pursuits and desires are aligned with the pleasure of Allah or if they are merely worldly distractions that will ultimately leave us unfulfilled.

By seeking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone, we align ourselves with the purpose of our creation and find true contentment and peace. When we seek Allah in all aspects of our lives, we are rewarded with His guidance, blessings, and mercy. Our actions become a means of drawing closer to Him, and our desires are fulfilled in ways that are pleasing to Him.

On the other hand, when we seek fulfillment in worldly pursuits, we often find ourselves trapped in a cycle of dissatisfaction and restlessness. The pursuit of wealth, fame, and material possessions may provide temporary pleasure, but it ultimately leaves us empty and yearning for more. This is because these worldly desires can never truly satisfy the deep spiritual void within us.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement also serves as a reminder of the consequences of seeking other than Allah. When we prioritize worldly desires over our relationship with Allah, we risk losing sight of our purpose and straying from the path of righteousness. This can lead to a life of spiritual darkness and confusion, as highlighted in the aforementioned verses from the Quran.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true fulfillment and satisfaction can only be found in seeking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. It serves as a powerful reminder to align our intentions and pursuits with the pleasure of Allah, and to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. By doing so, we can attain true contentment, peace, and success in this life and the hereafter. May Allah guide us all to be seekers of His pleasure and grant us the wisdom to prioritize Him in all aspects of our lives.