Hadith #11056

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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, "التوفيق إقبال" which translates to

God-given success is [a means of] advancement [towards Allah].

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (tawfiq) "توفيق" refers to the divine guidance and assistance granted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to His servants. It is a manifestation of His mercy and favor upon them. This divine tawfiq enables individuals to achieve success in their endeavors, both in this world and the hereafter. It is important to note that this success is not solely based on personal efforts, but rather a blessing bestowed by Allah.

The word (iqbal) "إقبال" means advancement or progress. It signifies moving closer to Allah, seeking His pleasure, and striving to fulfill His commands. It implies a continuous journey towards spiritual growth and development, where one's actions and intentions align with the divine will.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah says in Surah Al-Imran (3:200),

O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of patience, steadfastness, and consciousness of Allah in attaining success. It highlights that true success lies in maintaining a strong connection with Allah and adhering to His guidance.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29), Allah states,

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse highlights that by fearing Allah and seeking His pleasure, one will be granted the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and their sins will be forgiven. This divine guidance and forgiveness are essential components of the success mentioned in the Hadith.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that success is not merely measured by worldly achievements or material possessions. True success lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah and striving to fulfill His commands. It is a journey of continuous self-improvement, where individuals align their actions and intentions with the divine will.

When we understand that success is a gift from Allah, we are motivated to seek His guidance and assistance in all aspects of our lives. We recognize that our efforts alone are insufficient, and we rely on His tawfiq to achieve true success. This understanding instills humility, gratitude, and reliance on Allah in our hearts.

The consequences of embracing this understanding are profound. It leads to a life of purpose and righteousness, where every action is driven by the desire to please Allah. It encourages us to strive for excellence in our personal and professional endeavors, knowing that success is not measured by worldly standards, but by the pleasure of our Creator.

Reflecting upon this Hadith, we are reminded of the immense knowledge and wisdom possessed by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). His words encapsulate the essence of true success and serve as a guiding light for Muslims of all generations. May we all be blessed with the tawfiq to advance towards Allah and attain true success in this world and the hereafter.