Hadith #6079

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the disparity between those who actively seek sustenance and those who do not. The words used in this Hadith are significant and require closer examination.

The word (taalib) "طالِب" refers to a seeker or someone who actively pursues something. In this context, it refers to someone who seeks sustenance or provisions. The word (khaa'ib) "خائِب" means deprived or disappointed. It describes the state of those who seek sustenance but are unable to find it. On the other hand, the word (marzooq) "مَرْزُوق" means the one who is granted or provided for. It refers to those who do not actively seek sustenance but are still blessed with provisions.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:80),

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking sustenance from Allah, acknowledging that it is ultimately He who provides for us.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:82), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And when they embarked on the ship, they invoked Allah, making their faith pure for Him only, but when He delivered them to the land, behold, they began to associate partners with Him.

This verse highlights the example of those who turn to Allah in times of need, seeking His help and provisions. However, once their desires are fulfilled, they forget about their reliance on Him and start associating partners with Him.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to actively seek sustenance from Allah and not rely solely on their own efforts. It teaches us that true success lies in recognizing our dependence on Allah and seeking His blessings and provisions. Those who diligently seek sustenance from Allah will find themselves blessed with abundance, while those who neglect this aspect of their faith may find themselves deprived.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of intention and sincerity in our actions. It is not enough to simply go through the motions of seeking sustenance; we must do so with a pure heart and a sincere intention to please Allah. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:80),

And He it is Who gives life and causes death, and (in) His (control) is the alternation of night and day; do you not then understand?

This verse reminds us that it is Allah who controls all aspects of our lives, including our sustenance, and we must turn to Him with sincerity and understanding.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to actively seek sustenance from Allah and not rely solely on their own efforts. It emphasizes the importance of intention, sincerity, and recognizing our dependence on Allah in all aspects of our lives. May we all strive to be true seekers of sustenance from Allah and may He bless us abundantly in this world and the hereafter.