Hadith #4965

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

مَنِ اسْتَسْلَمَ إلَى اللّهِ اِسْتَظْهَرَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who surrenders himself to Allah is supported [by Him].

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

The word (istaslama) "استسلم" in the Hadith means to surrender or submit oneself completely to the will of Allah. It implies a state of complete trust, reliance, and obedience to the commands of Allah. This surrender is not merely a verbal declaration, but a sincere and wholehearted submission of one's desires, actions, and will to the guidance of Allah.

The word (istazhara) "استظهر" in the Hadith means to be supported, aided, or protected by Allah. It signifies that when a person surrenders themselves to Allah, they receive divine assistance, guidance, and protection. This support from Allah is not limited to physical or material aspects, but also encompasses spiritual, emotional, and intellectual aspects of our lives.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. For example, Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:207),

And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allah. And Allah is kind to [His] servants.

This verse emphasizes the importance of surrendering oneself to Allah and seeking His pleasure. It assures us that Allah is kind and supportive towards those who strive to please Him.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:46), Allah says,

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

This verse highlights the significance of obedience and patience in our surrender to Allah. It assures us that Allah is with those who remain steadfast and patient in their submission to Him.

The exegesis of this Hadith teaches us profound lessons. When we surrender ourselves to Allah, we acknowledge His sovereignty and recognize that He is the ultimate source of guidance, support, and protection. This surrender is not a sign of weakness, but rather a manifestation of our faith and trust in Allah's infinite wisdom and mercy.

When we surrender ourselves to Allah, we free ourselves from the burdens of worldly desires, ego, and attachments. We become receptive to the divine guidance and blessings that Allah bestows upon those who submit to Him. This surrender empowers us to overcome challenges, make righteous choices, and live a life that is pleasing to Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us through this Hadith that true success lies in surrendering ourselves to Allah. By doing so, we invite His support and guidance into our lives. We become recipients of His mercy, blessings, and protection. Our surrender to Allah becomes a means of attaining spiritual elevation, inner peace, and ultimate success in this world and the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of surrendering ourselves to Allah. It reminds us that when we submit ourselves completely to Allah's will, we are blessed with His support and guidance. May Allah grant us the ability to surrender ourselves to Him wholeheartedly and may He shower His mercy and blessings upon us.