Hadith #3054

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

إحْتَجْ إلى مَنْ شِئْتَ وَكُنْ (تَكُنْ) أسِيْرَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Express your needs to whomever you wish and (you will) become his captive.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (ihtaj) "إحْتَجْ" means to present one's needs or to seek assistance. It implies the act of expressing oneself and seeking help from others. The word (asirahu) "أسِيْرَهُ" means to become captive or enslaved. It signifies a state of complete surrender and dependency on someone else.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Furqan, verse 43: (Quran 25:43)

Have you seen the one who takes his own desires as his god? Then would you be responsible for him?

This verse highlights the danger of allowing our desires and whims to control us. When we become slaves to our own desires, we lose our freedom and become captive to our own egos.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is advising us to direct our needs and desires towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. By seeking His assistance and submitting ourselves to His will, we become captives of His mercy and guidance. This is beautifully expressed in Surah Al-Fatir, verse 10: (Quran 35:10)

Whoever desires honor [through power] - then to Allah belongs all honor. To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it.

When we seek honor and assistance from Allah, we become captivated by His blessings and guidance.

Furthermore, this Hadith teaches us the importance of humility and reliance on Allah. In Surah Al-Ghashiyah, verse 22, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says: (Quran 87:9)

So remind, if the reminder should benefit; He who fears [Allah] will be reminded.

When we express our needs and seek help from others, we should always remember that true assistance comes from Allah alone. By acknowledging our dependency on Him, we become captives of His mercy and blessings.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us that true freedom lies in surrendering ourselves to Allah's will. When we express our needs to others, we should do so with the intention of seeking Allah's assistance through them. By doing so, we become captives of His mercy and blessings, and our actions become a means of drawing closer to Him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of directing our needs and desires towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. By seeking His assistance and surrendering ourselves to His will, we become captives of His mercy and guidance. This Hadith teaches us the significance of humility, reliance on Allah, and the true freedom that lies in submitting to His divine decree. May we always seek Allah's assistance and become captives of His mercy and blessings.