Hadith #11272

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,

مَنِ اهْتَدى بِهُدَى اللّهِ أرْشَدَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever seeks true guidance through the guidance of Allah is guided to the right path by Him.

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

The word (ihtada) "اهْتَدَى" in this Hadith means to seek guidance or to be guided. It implies a conscious effort on the part of an individual to seek the right path and to follow it. This guidance is not self-derived, but it comes from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), the All-Knowing and All-Wise.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of seeking His guidance in the Quran. In Surah Al-Fatiha, we recite, (Quran 1:6)

Guide us to the Straight Path

This verse highlights the need for seeking Allah's guidance to be on the right path. It is a recognition of our dependence on Allah's divine knowledge and wisdom.

The phrase (bi-hudan Allah) "بِهُدَى اللّهِ" in the Hadith refers to the guidance that comes from Allah. This guidance is comprehensive and encompasses all aspects of life. Allah has provided us with the Quran, which is a source of guidance for humanity. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 2:2)

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah

The Quran is a clear manifestation of Allah's guidance for mankind.

Furthermore, Allah's guidance is not limited to the Quran alone. It is also manifested through the teachings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is described in the Quran as a (Quran 21:107)

mercy to the worlds

and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) are the inheritors of his knowledge and guidance.

When one seeks guidance through the guidance of Allah, they are acknowledging their need for divine direction and wisdom. It is an act of humility and surrender to the will of Allah. By doing so, they open themselves up to receiving Allah's guidance and are led to the right path.

The consequences of seeking guidance through the guidance of Allah are profound. When one is guided by Allah, they are protected from the pitfalls of misguidance and are steered towards righteousness. They are able to make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of life with clarity and wisdom.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of sincerity in seeking guidance. It is not enough to merely claim to seek guidance; one must genuinely desire it and be willing to follow it. Allah says in the Quran, (Quran 29:69)

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways

This verse emphasizes the need for sincere effort and striving in seeking Allah's guidance.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of constantly seeking guidance from Allah in all aspects of our lives. Whether it is in matters of faith, personal development, relationships, or decision-making, we should turn to Allah for guidance. By doing so, we align ourselves with the divine will and are led towards success and righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true guidance comes from Allah. When we seek guidance through His guidance, we are led to the right path. This Hadith emphasizes the need for sincere effort, humility, and surrender to Allah's wisdom. May Allah guide us all and keep us steadfast on the straight path.