Hadith #7744

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 فَعَلَ ما شاءَ لَقِيَ ما ساءَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who does as he wishes meets that which displeases him.

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) holds deep wisdom and guidance for all Muslims.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith. The word (fa'ala) "فَعَلَ" means to do or to act. It implies the act of carrying out one's desires or wishes. The word (ma) "ما" is a pronoun that refers to anything or whatever. The word (shaa) "شاءَ" means to will or desire. And finally, the word (laqiya) "لَقِيَ" means to meet or encounter. The word (ma) "ما" is repeated in the second part of the Hadith to emphasize the consequences of one's actions. The word (saa) "ساءَ" means displeasure or something that is unpleasant.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:84),

Say, 'Each works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way.'

This verse highlights the concept of free will and individual responsibility. Each person has the freedom to act according to their desires, but it is Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) who ultimately knows who is guided in the right path.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse emphasizes that true guidance comes from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. It is not within the power of any individual, including the Prophet (ﷺ), to guide someone unless Allah wills it.

Now, let us reflect on the enlightening message of the Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that when we act solely based on our own desires and wishes, we may encounter unpleasant consequences. This is because our desires are often driven by our limited understanding and flawed judgment. We may think that something will bring us happiness or fulfillment, but in reality, it may lead to disappointment, regret, or even harm.

The Quran provides numerous examples of individuals who followed their own desires and faced negative consequences. For instance, the story of Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and Hawwa (Eve) in Surah Al-A'raf (7:22-23) serves as a powerful reminder. They were forbidden from eating the fruit of a certain tree, but their desires led them to disobey Allah's command. As a result, they were expelled from Paradise and faced the hardships of the earthly life.

Similarly, the story of Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in Surah Yusuf (12:23-34) highlights the consequences of acting on one's desires. When Yusuf's brothers acted out of jealousy and threw him into a well, they thought they were getting rid of a problem. However, their actions led to a series of events that ultimately brought Yusuf to a position of power and authority, while they lived with guilt and remorse.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the teachings of the Quran before acting on their desires. It urges us to reflect on the potential consequences of our actions and to align our will with the divine will. By doing so, we can avoid the displeasure and regret that may result from following our own whims and desires.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of seeking guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the Quran before acting on our desires. It reminds us that true wisdom lies in aligning our will with the divine will, rather than blindly following our own whims. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the understanding and strength to make choices that are pleasing to Him and beneficial for our own well-being.