Hadith #3051

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 Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his righteous companions.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with valuable insights on how to make our needs and desires righteous in the eyes of Allah. He states that the fulfillment of our needs can only be considered righteous if we adhere to three important principles: considering them to be small, hiding them, and expediting their fulfillment.

Let us delve deeper into the meanings of these principles. The first principle mentioned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is to consider our needs and desires as small, so that they may become great in the sight of Allah. This implies that we should not belittle our needs or underestimate their significance. Instead, we should recognize the importance of even the smallest of our needs and seek their fulfillment with sincerity and humility. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, appreciates the sincerity and devotion with which we approach Him, regardless of the size of our needs.

This principle finds support in the Quran, where Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186: (2:186)

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 emphasizes the nearness of Allah to His servants and His willingness to respond to their supplications. By considering our needs to be small, we demonstrate our trust in Allah's mercy and His ability to fulfill our needs, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

The second principle mentioned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is to hide our needs and desires, so that they may be made apparent by Allah. This means that we should not openly display our needs to others, seeking their sympathy or assistance. Instead, we should turn to Allah in private and seek His help and guidance. By doing so, we demonstrate our reliance on Allah alone and acknowledge that He is the ultimate provider and sustainer of all our needs.

This principle is beautifully illustrated in the Quran, where Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 45: (2:45)

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].

Here, Allah encourages us to seek His help through patience and prayer, emphasizing the importance of turning to Him in times of need. By hiding our needs and seeking Allah's assistance in private, we demonstrate our humility and submission to His will.

The third principle mentioned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is to expedite the fulfillment of our needs, so that they may become felicitous. This means that we should strive to fulfill our needs in a timely manner, without unnecessary delay or procrastination. By doing so, we not only alleviate our own hardships but also open the doors for blessings and happiness to enter our lives.

This principle is echoed in the Quran, where Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186: (2:186)

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.

Here, Allah assures us that He responds to the supplications of His servants. By expediting the fulfillment of our needs, we demonstrate our trust in Allah's promise and our eagerness to seek His help and guidance.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with valuable guidance on how to make our needs and desires righteous in the sight of Allah. By considering our needs to be small, hiding them, and expediting their fulfillment, we demonstrate our sincerity, humility, and trust in Allah's mercy and provision. May Allah grant us the wisdom to apply these principles in our lives and make our needs and desires righteous in His eyes.