Hadith #1625

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,

مَنْ تاجَرَ اللّهَ رَبِحَ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever does business with Allah, profits.

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, let us delve into the important words and concepts it contains.

The word (tajara) "تاجَرَ" in Arabic refers to engaging in trade or commerce. It implies an exchange of goods or services with the aim of making a profit. In this context, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) uses the concept of trade as a metaphor for the relationship between a believer and Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

When we engage in trade, we invest our time, effort, and resources in order to gain something in return. Similarly, when we

do business with Allah,

it means that we invest our faith, obedience, and devotion in Him, seeking His pleasure and closeness. This investment in our relationship with Allah is not in vain; rather, it yields immense profits and benefits.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197),

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (piety).

Here, Allah emphasizes the importance of investing in our relationship with Him, as piety is the best provision for our journey in this world and the Hereafter.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:28), Allah says,

And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.

This verse reminds us that worldly possessions and material wealth are merely temporary, while the true profit lies in the reward that Allah has prepared for those who invest in their relationship with Him.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder that our ultimate goal should be to seek the pleasure of Allah and to invest in our spiritual growth. Just as a successful trader carefully selects their investments and strives to maximize their profits, a believer should prioritize their relationship with Allah and seek to increase their rewards in the Hereafter.

When we engage in acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, giving charity, and performing good deeds, we are essentially

doing business with Allah.

These acts of worship are our investments, and the rewards they yield are far greater than any worldly gains. The profits we gain from this spiritual trade include blessings, forgiveness, tranquility of the heart, and ultimately, eternal salvation.

Moreover, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) also highlights the importance of sincerity in our relationship with Allah. Just as a successful trader must have integrity and honesty in their dealings, a believer must have sincerity and purity of intention in their worship. Only when our acts of worship are performed solely for the sake of Allah can we truly reap the profits of this divine trade.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that investing in our relationship with Allah is the most profitable trade we can engage in. By prioritizing our faith, obedience, and devotion, we can attain immense rewards and blessings in this life and the Hereafter. Let us strive to be successful traders with Allah, seeking His pleasure and maximizing our profits through sincere acts of worship and righteous deeds. May Allah grant us the wisdom and guidance to engage in this divine trade and may He bless us with eternal success.