Hadith #4640

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ سَألَ ما لايَسْتَحِقُّ قُوبِلَ بِالحِرمانِ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the consequences of asking for something that one does not deserve. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (sa'ala) "سَألَ" in this Hadith refers to the act of asking or requesting. It signifies seeking something from others, whether it be material possessions, favors, or even intangible things like respect or love. However, the Hadith warns against asking for something (ma la yastahiqqu) "ما لايَسْتَحِقُّ", which means something that one does not deserve or is not entitled to.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Isra, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 17:34)

And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best, until he reaches maturity. And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.

This verse highlights the importance of fulfilling one's commitments and refraining from taking what does not rightfully belong to us. It serves as a reminder that we should only ask for what is rightfully ours and not seek to acquire the possessions or rights of others unjustly.

The consequences of asking for what one does not deserve, as mentioned in the Hadith, is that the person will be (qubila bil-hirman) "قُوبِلَ بِالحِرمانِ". The word (qubila) "قُوبِلَ" means to be faced with or to receive, while (bil-hirman) "بِالحِرمانِ" refers to deprivation or being deprived of something.

In Surah Al-Ma'idah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 5:45)

And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse highlights the importance of adhering to the divine laws and not seeking judgments or decisions that go against the teachings of Allah.

Therefore, when one asks for something that they do not deserve, they are essentially going against the divine laws and seeking what is not rightfully theirs. This act of transgression leads to deprivation, as they are denied the blessings and rewards that come with righteous actions and justifiable requests.

Furthermore, this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their intentions and actions when seeking or asking for something. It encourages us to reflect upon our entitlement and deservingness before making any requests. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us through this Hadith that we should strive to be deserving of what we seek. This entails fulfilling our obligations, respecting the rights of others, and adhering to the divine laws laid out in the Quran.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their actions and intentions when seeking or asking for something. It emphasizes the importance of deservingness and warns against seeking what is not rightfully ours. By aligning ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of Allah, we can avoid deprivation and strive for righteousness in all aspects of our lives. May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek only that which we deserve and to be deserving of His blessings.