Hadith #997

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 progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

Anjahul-umur ma ahat bihi al-kitman.

This Hadith can be translated into English as,

The most successful matters are those that have been shrouded in secrecy.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us first analyze the key words and their transliterations. The word "anjahul-umur" refers to the most successful matters or affairs. "Ahat" means to surround or encompass, and "bihi" means with it. Finally, "al-kitman" means secrecy or concealment.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of keeping certain matters concealed or hidden from public view. It implies that secrecy can be a key factor in achieving success. To further understand the significance of this concept, let us turn to the Quran for guidance.

In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 284, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Whether you reveal what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will bring you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills, and Allah is over all things competent.

This verse highlights the fact that Allah is fully aware of what is hidden and what is revealed. It reminds us that we will be held accountable for our actions, whether they are public or private. However, it is important to note that there are certain matters that are better kept hidden, as the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) suggests.

One example of this can be seen in the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) in the Quran. When Yusuf's brothers plotted against him and threw him into a well, they kept their actions hidden from their father, Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob). This concealment allowed Yusuf's brothers to carry out their plan without interference. Eventually, Yusuf's story unfolded, and he became a great leader in Egypt. This demonstrates how secrecy played a role in the success of their plan.

Similarly, in the Battle of Badr, the Muslims were outnumbered and faced a formidable enemy. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) strategically kept the plan of attack a secret, which allowed the Muslims to surprise their opponents and achieve a decisive victory. This historical event exemplifies the concept of secrecy leading to success.

In our daily lives, there are numerous situations where secrecy can be beneficial. For instance, when working on a project or pursuing a goal, sharing every detail with others may invite unnecessary interference or jealousy. By keeping certain aspects of our plans hidden, we can protect our ideas and increase the chances of achieving success.

However, it is important to note that the concept of secrecy should not be misunderstood as deceit or dishonesty. Islam promotes transparency, honesty, and accountability in all aspects of life. The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) does not encourage unethical behavior or hiding the truth. Rather, it highlights the wisdom of selectively concealing certain matters for the sake of achieving success.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the most successful matters are often those that have been shrouded in secrecy. This concept is supported by the Quranic verse that reminds us of Allah's knowledge of what is hidden and what is revealed. By understanding the appropriate times and situations where secrecy can be beneficial, we can navigate our lives with wisdom and increase our chances of achieving success. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to make the right choices and grant us success in all our endeavors.