Hadith #6033

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

طُوبى لِمَنْ وُفِّقَ لِطاعَتِهِ، وحَسُنَتْ خَليقَتُهُ، وأحْرَزَ أمْرَ آخِرَتِه۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

Blessed is the one who is successful in his obedience [to Allah], has a good character and safeguards the affair of his Hereafter.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith in light of the Quran. Firstly, let us reflect upon the important words used in this Hadith.

The word (wuffiqa) "وُفِّقَ" comes from the root word (fawqa) "فَوْقَ", which means to be granted success or to be enabled. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to being granted success in obeying Allah. This success is not merely worldly, but rather it encompasses both the spiritual and moral aspects of a person's life.

The word (hasunat) "حَسُنَتْ" comes from the root word (hasana) "حَسَنَ", which means to be good or beautiful. In this Hadith, it refers to having a good character, displaying virtuous qualities, and embodying the teachings of Islam in one's behavior and interactions with others.

The phrase (ahraza amra akhiratihi) "أحْرَزَ أمْرَ آخِرَتِه۔" can be translated as

safeguards the affair of his Hereafter.

It emphasizes the importance of being mindful of one's actions and choices in this world, with a focus on the ultimate goal of attaining success in the Hereafter.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:104):

And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of inviting others towards goodness, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong. It highlights the role of a believer in actively promoting righteousness and preventing evil. The one who fulfills this duty, along with their own personal obedience to Allah, is indeed blessed and successful.

In Surah Al-Qasas (28:77), 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 of the importance of balancing our efforts for the Hereafter with our responsibilities in this world. It encourages us to seek the rewards of the Hereafter while fulfilling our worldly obligations. It also emphasizes the importance of doing good and avoiding corruption, both in our personal lives and in society as a whole.

Reflecting upon the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we can understand that true success lies in a combination of obedience to Allah, good character, and a focus on the Hereafter. It is not enough to merely perform acts of worship, but one must also strive to embody the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.

A person who is successful in their obedience to Allah is one who fulfills their obligations, performs recommended acts of worship, and avoids prohibited actions. They strive to follow the guidance of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

Having a good character means displaying virtues such as honesty, kindness, patience, and humility. It involves treating others with respect and compassion, and striving to be a source of goodness and positivity in the world. This includes fulfilling the rights of others, being just in our dealings, and maintaining strong moral values.

Safeguarding the affair of the Hereafter means being mindful of our actions and choices, and constantly striving to improve ourselves. It involves seeking knowledge, reflecting upon our intentions, and making conscious efforts to align our lives with the teachings of Islam. It also includes being aware of the consequences of our actions and seeking forgiveness for our mistakes.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true success lies in a combination of obedience to Allah, good character, and a focus on the Hereafter. It reminds us of the importance of embodying the teachings of Islam in our daily lives and striving for excellence in all aspects of our existence. May Allah grant us the ability to be among those who are blessed and successful.