Hadith #4432

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, 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,

تَحَرَّ رِضَا اللّهِ بِرِضاكَ بِقَدَرِهِ۔

This can be translated as,

Seek the pleasure of Allah by being satisfied with His decree.

This beautiful saying holds immense wisdom and guidance for all Muslims, regardless of their sect.

Let us delve into the words of this Hadith and explore their meanings in light of the Quran. The first word to analyze is (taḥarra) "تَحَرَّ", which can be translated as "seek" or "strive for." It implies a conscious effort to attain something. In this context, it refers to the pursuit of Allah's pleasure.

The second word is (riḍā) "رِضَا", which means "pleasure" or "satisfaction." It signifies contentment and acceptance. In this Hadith, it specifically refers to seeking the pleasure of Allah.

The third word is (Allāh) "اللّهِ", which is the name of the Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. It is a reminder that our ultimate goal should be to seek His pleasure and approval.

The fourth word is (bi-riḍāka) "بِرِضاكَ", which means "by being satisfied." It emphasizes the importance of accepting and being content with the decree of Allah. It implies that we should not only seek His pleasure but also find contentment in His decisions and plans for us.

The final word is (bi-qadarihi) "بِقَدَرِهِ", which can be translated as "with His decree" or

according to His measure.

It refers to the divine decree and predestination of Allah. It reminds us that everything that happens in our lives is part of His divine plan, and we should accept it with patience and gratitude.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 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.

This verse highlights the importance of trusting Allah's wisdom and accepting His decree, even if it may not align with our desires or expectations. Our limited knowledge cannot comprehend the infinite wisdom of Allah.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Isra, verse 84:

And say: 'My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.'

This verse teaches us to rely on Allah and seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives. By being satisfied with His decree, we acknowledge His authority and trust in His divine plan.

The exegesis of this Hadith emphasizes the importance of seeking Allah's pleasure by accepting His decree. It encourages us to align our desires and actions with His will, recognizing that He knows what is best for us. By being content with His decisions, we demonstrate our trust and submission to His wisdom.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to cultivate a mindset of acceptance and gratitude. It teaches us to find peace and tranquility in the knowledge that Allah's decree is perfect and that He has our best interests at heart. By seeking His pleasure and being satisfied with His decree, we can attain true inner peace and spiritual growth.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to seek His pleasure and grant us the ability to be content with His decree. May He bless us with the wisdom to understand His plans and the strength to accept them wholeheartedly.