مَنْ أمِنَ المَكْرَ لَقِيَ الشَّرَّ۔
One who feels secure from the devising [of Allah] meets with harm.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: The Devising Of Allah)
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 family, and his righteous companions.
The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,
مَنْ أمِنَ المَكْرَ لَقِيَ الشَّرَّ۔
This can be translated as,
One who feels secure from the devising [of Allah] meets with harm.
Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.
Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. The word (amana) "أمِنَ" means to feel secure or to have a sense of safety. (makr) "المَكْرَ" refers to the devising or planning of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). And (sharr) "الشَّرَّ" means harm or evil.
To comprehend the essence of this Hadith, we must turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Yunus, verse 21:
And when We let the people taste mercy after adversity has touched them, at once they conspire against Our verses. Say, 'Allah is swifter in devising.'
This verse highlights that Allah's planning and devising is beyond human comprehension. He is the Best of Planners, and His wisdom surpasses our limited understanding.
Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 30, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:
And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.
This verse demonstrates that even the enemies of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) plotted against him, but Allah's plan prevailed. His wisdom and foresight are unmatched.
Now, let us reflect on the meaning of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. It teaches us that if we become complacent and feel secure from the devising of Allah, we may encounter harm or adversity. This does not mean that we should live in constant fear, but rather, it reminds us to remain humble and always seek Allah's guidance and protection.
When we feel secure, we may become negligent in our worship, neglectful of our duties, or even arrogant in our actions. This false sense of security can lead us astray and make us vulnerable to the consequences of our own choices. It is a reminder that we should never underestimate the power and wisdom of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).
For example, if a person feels secure in their financial stability and becomes extravagant in their spending, they may face financial difficulties in the future. Similarly, if someone feels secure in their health and neglects to take care of their body, they may suffer from illness or disease. This Hadith serves as a wake-up call to remain vigilant and not take the blessings of Allah for granted.
Moreover, this Hadith also highlights the importance of relying on Allah and seeking His guidance in all aspects of our lives. We should never rely solely on our own plans and strategies, but rather, trust in the wisdom and guidance of Allah. As Allah says in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 62:
And if they intend to deceive you - then sufficient for you is Allah. It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers.
In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the dangers of feeling secure from the devising of Allah. It urges us to remain humble, seek Allah's guidance, and not become complacent in our faith and actions. We should always remember that Allah's plan is superior to ours, and His wisdom is beyond our comprehension. May Allah protect us from harm and grant us the wisdom to navigate through life with humility and reliance on Him.
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