Hadith #8713

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ غالَبَ الأقْدارَ غَلَبَتْهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who seeks to overpower destiny is overcome by it.

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

The word (ghalaba) "غالَبَ" in this Hadith refers to someone who tries to overpower or dominate something. It signifies the act of exerting control or influence over a situation or outcome. On the other hand, (al-aqdar) "الأقْدارَ" refers to destiny or predestination, which is the divine decree of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that determines the course of events in our lives.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yunus, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 6:17)

And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He touches you with good - then He is over all things competent.

This verse reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the ultimate controller of all affairs. He alone has the power to bring about both hardship and ease in our lives. No matter how hard we try to control our destiny, it is ultimately in the hands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Our efforts should be focused on seeking His pleasure and submitting to His will.

Another verse that sheds light on the meaning of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 58:22)

You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred. Those - He has decreed within their hearts faith and supported them with spirit from Him. And We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him - those are the party of Allah. Unquestionably, the party of Allah - they are the successful.

This verse emphasizes that true success lies in aligning our hearts and actions with the divine decree of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is not about seeking dominance over our circumstances, but rather about surrendering to the will of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and accepting His decree with contentment. Those who submit to Allah's decree are the ones who will attain true success and eternal bliss.

Now, let us reflect on the beautiful message of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that attempting to overpower destiny is a futile endeavor. It is an act of arrogance and a manifestation of our limited understanding of the divine wisdom behind every event in our lives.

When we try to control our destiny, we are essentially challenging the authority and wisdom of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We forget that He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, and the All-Powerful. It is only through submission and acceptance of His decree that we can find peace and tranquility in our hearts.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true strength lies in recognizing our limitations and acknowledging the supremacy of Allah's will. Instead of trying to overpower destiny, we should focus on strengthening our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) through sincere worship, seeking His guidance, and relying on His mercy and wisdom.

By accepting the divine decree, we open ourselves to the countless blessings and opportunities that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has in store for us. We learn to trust in His plan, even when it may seem difficult or unfavorable to us. This trust and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) not only brings us closer to Him but also grants us inner peace and contentment.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of surrendering to the divine decree of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It teaches us that attempting to overpower destiny is a futile and misguided endeavor. True success lies in accepting and embracing Allah's will, trusting in His wisdom, and submitting to His plan for us. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to surrender to His decree and find peace in His guidance.