Hadith #11210

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises the believers to be cautious when making choices for themselves. The key words in this hadith are (tatakhiyara) "تَتَخَيَّرَ" which means "to choose" and (nafsika) "نَفْسِكَ" which means "for yourself". Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us against relying solely on our own judgment and desires when making decisions, as the majority of success lies in that which is not calculated or anticipated.

To understand the depth of this hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking His guidance and relying on Him in various aspects of our lives. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186, Allah says,

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

This verse reminds us that Allah is always near and ready to answer our prayers. It highlights the significance of turning to Him and seeking His guidance in all matters, including the choices we make. By relying on Allah and seeking His guidance, we open ourselves up to the vast wisdom and knowledge that He possesses.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the gate to the city of knowledge, understood the importance of seeking divine guidance in decision-making. He knew that true success lies in aligning our choices with the will of Allah. By choosing for ourselves without considering Allah's guidance, we may miss out on the hidden blessings and opportunities that lie in the path chosen by Him.

This hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly seek Allah's guidance and to trust in His wisdom. It encourages us to be humble and submit ourselves to His will, knowing that He knows what is best for us. It teaches us to rely on Allah's infinite knowledge and to trust that He will guide us towards the path that leads to success, even if it may not align with our own desires or expectations.

By following the advice of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this hadith, Muslims can cultivate a deep sense of trust and reliance on Allah. We can develop the habit of seeking His guidance through prayer, supplication, and reflection on the Quran. This will not only lead to making better choices in our personal and professional lives but also bring us closer to Allah and strengthen our relationship with Him.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be cautious when making choices for themselves. It highlights the importance of seeking Allah's guidance and relying on His wisdom, as true success lies in aligning our choices with His will. By trusting in Allah and submitting ourselves to His guidance, we can navigate through life's challenges and opportunities with confidence, knowing that He is the ultimate source of success and guidance. May Allah grant us the wisdom to make choices that are pleasing to Him and lead us to success in this world and the Hereafter.