Hadith #11065

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "Al-tawfiqu afḍalu manqabah." Translated into English, it means,

God-given success is the best virtue.

Let us delve into the deeper meanings and implications of this beautiful Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. "Tawfiq" refers to divine guidance and assistance, bestowed upon an individual by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a manifestation of Allah's favor and mercy upon His servants. "Afḍal" means the best or superior, indicating that this success surpasses all other virtues. "Manqabah" refers to a virtue or quality that elevates an individual's status.

To further comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Anfal, verse 30, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.

This verse highlights the concept of divine tawfiq, where despite the plots of the disbelievers, Allah's plan prevails. It demonstrates that success is ultimately in the hands of Allah, and His guidance and assistance are paramount.

Another verse that sheds light on the significance of tawfiq is found in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 56, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse emphasizes that true guidance and success come solely from Allah. It is not within the power of any individual, no matter how knowledgeable or influential, to guide others without the divine tawfiq.

Now, let us reflect on the beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses. The Hadith teaches us that true success lies in attaining the divine tawfiq. It is not merely about achieving worldly accomplishments or material wealth, but rather about aligning ourselves with the will of Allah and seeking His guidance in all aspects of our lives.

When we strive for success with the intention of pleasing Allah and following His commands, we open ourselves to the blessings of tawfiq. This success is not limited to the material realm but encompasses spiritual growth, moral development, and the attainment of inner peace and contentment. It is a success that transcends the boundaries of this world and leads to eternal felicity in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that the ultimate virtue lies in seeking and attaining the divine tawfiq. He exemplified this virtue throughout his life, as he was guided by Allah in his actions, decisions, and teachings. His unwavering devotion to Allah and his commitment to justice and righteousness serve as an inspiration for all Muslims.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true success is not measured by worldly achievements alone, but by the attainment of divine tawfiq. It is through seeking Allah's guidance and aligning ourselves with His will that we can truly excel in all aspects of our lives. May Allah grant us the wisdom and sincerity to seek His tawfiq and may He bless us with success in this world and the Hereafter.