Hadith #4389

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the 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, "لايُنالُ الرِّزقُ بالتَّعَنّي۔" This can be translated into English as,

Sustenance is not acquired by toiling [for it].

In this profound statement, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights an important aspect of our understanding of sustenance or rizq. The word "rizq" encompasses not only material provisions such as food, wealth, and possessions, but also encompasses spiritual and intellectual nourishment. It includes knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and all the blessings that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His creation.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us reflect upon some relevant Quranic verses. In Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 62, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, 'Indeed, I am of the Muslims.'

This verse emphasizes the importance of inviting others to the path of Allah and doing righteous deeds. It implies that sustenance, both material and spiritual, is not solely dependent on our own efforts or toiling. Rather, it is a result of our submission to Allah and our commitment to righteousness. When we strive to please Allah and follow His guidance, He opens doors of sustenance for us, both in this world and the hereafter.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 77, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.

This verse reminds us that while we should strive for success in the Hereafter, we should not neglect our responsibilities in this world. We should make use of the resources and abilities that Allah has blessed us with to seek sustenance, but always with the intention of pleasing Him and doing good. Our efforts should be guided by righteousness and integrity, and we should avoid any form of corruption or wrongdoing.

Now, let us delve deeper into the exegesis of Imam Ali's statement. When he says,

Sustenance is not acquired by toiling [for it],

he is not discouraging hard work or effort. Rather, he is reminding us that our sustenance ultimately comes from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and is not solely dependent on our own striving.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the concept of tawakkul, which is the reliance and trust in Allah's divine providence. It means that while we make efforts and work hard, we should ultimately place our trust in Allah and rely on Him for the outcome. This does not mean that we sit idle and expect sustenance to come to us without any effort. Rather, it means that we recognize that our efforts alone are not sufficient to guarantee sustenance. It is Allah who provides and blesses us with sustenance, and our efforts are simply a means through which His blessings flow.

Imam Ali's statement also serves as a reminder for us to prioritize our spiritual and moral development alongside our material pursuits. We should not become so consumed by the pursuit of wealth and worldly success that we neglect our spiritual well-being. True sustenance lies in the balance between the two, where we strive for success in this world while also seeking the pleasure of Allah and the eternal rewards of the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that sustenance is not solely acquired through our toiling and efforts. It is a divine blessing from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that encompasses both material and spiritual provisions. While we should work hard and make efforts, we should ultimately place our trust in Allah and seek His guidance and blessings. May Allah grant us the understanding and wisdom to live by this profound teaching of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).