Hadith #6444

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 pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

When Allah loves a servant, He gives him direction through examples.

This impactful saying highlights the divine guidance and blessings bestowed upon those who are beloved to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The word (abd) "عَبْدًا" in the Hadith refers to a servant or a worshipper of Allah. It signifies an individual who has submitted themselves entirely to the will of Allah and seeks to fulfill His commandments. The term (adha) "عَظَهُ" means to advise, instruct, or guide. It implies that Allah, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, provides guidance and direction to His beloved servants through various means.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for further clarification. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (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.

This verse emphasizes the closeness of Allah to His servants and His willingness to respond to their prayers. When Allah loves a servant, He grants them the ability to seek His guidance and direction through supplication and prayer.

Furthermore, Allah states in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:69),

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 highlights that those who sincerely strive in the path of Allah will be guided by Him. When Allah loves a servant, He bestows upon them the ability to discern right from wrong, to make wise decisions, and to follow the path of righteousness.

The phrase (bil-ibar) "بِالعِبَرِ" in the Hadith refers to examples or parables. It signifies that Allah, in His infinite wisdom, provides guidance to His beloved servants through practical examples and lessons. Just as the Quran is filled with parables and stories that serve as guidance for humanity, Allah also provides real-life examples and situations to guide His beloved servants.

For instance, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:43), Allah says,

And [remember, O Muhammad], when Allah showed them to you in your dream as few; and if He had shown them to you as many, you [believers] would have lost courage and would have disputed in the matter [of whether to fight].

This verse recounts the incident of the Battle of Badr, where Allah provided Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) with a dream that showed the enemy forces as fewer in number. This example served as a source of motivation and encouragement for the believers, guiding them to have confidence in their abilities and trust in Allah's support.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:9-26), the story of the Companions of the Cave (Ashab al-Kahf) serves as an example of steadfastness, faith, and trust in Allah. This story provides valuable lessons and guidance for believers, teaching them the importance of remaining firm in their faith even in the face of adversity.

Therefore, when Allah loves a servant, He grants them the ability to recognize and understand the lessons and examples that He presents in their lives. This divine guidance through examples serves as a source of inspiration, motivation, and direction for the beloved servants of Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that when Allah loves a servant, He provides them with guidance and direction through practical examples and lessons. This guidance can be found in the Quran, where Allah presents numerous parables and stories that serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for believers. As Muslims, we should strive to be among those beloved servants of Allah, seeking His guidance and direction through supplication, prayer, and reflection upon the examples and lessons presented to us in our lives. May Allah grant us His love and guide us on the straight path.