Hadith #995

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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, "اَلاُُمُورُ بالتَّقديرِ لابِالتَّدبيرِ۔" This can be translated as,

Matters come to pass by divine decree, not by the planning [of human beings].

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words used. The word (taqdeer) "تقدير" refers to divine decree or predestination. It signifies that everything that occurs in this world is predetermined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and is part of His divine plan. On the other hand, the word (tadbir) "تدبير" refers to human planning or strategizing. It highlights the limited control that human beings have over the events that unfold in their lives.

The concept of divine decree is emphasized in the Quran in numerous verses. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Qamar (54:49),

Indeed, all things We created with predestination.

This verse reaffirms that everything in this universe, including the smallest details, is meticulously planned and determined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Similarly, in Surah Al-Hadid (57:22), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being - indeed that, for Allah, is easy.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) profound statement reminds us of the importance of recognizing and accepting the divine decree in our lives. It serves as a reminder that while we may plan and strive for certain outcomes, ultimately, it is Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) who has complete control over the events that unfold. This understanding brings about a sense of humility and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), knowing that He is the ultimate planner and orchestrator of our lives.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of trust and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). As Muslims, we are encouraged to put our trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His guidance in all matters. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) assures us in Surah At-Talaq (65:3),

And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him.

When we recognize that our plans are subject to the divine decree, we learn to surrender our will to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and trust in His wisdom and guidance.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder of the importance of accepting and adapting to the circumstances that unfold in our lives. While we may have our own plans and aspirations, we must remember that Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) plan may differ from ours. This does not mean that we should refrain from planning or taking action, but rather that we should be flexible and open to the changes that occur. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:216),

But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.

Therefore, we should trust in Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) wisdom and accept that His plan is ultimately what is best for us.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the profound concept of divine decree and the limited control that human beings possess over the events of their lives. It encourages us to trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His guidance in all matters. It also teaches us to be adaptable and accepting of the circumstances that unfold, knowing that Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) plan is ultimately what is best for us. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of this Hadith in our lives.