Hadith #3545

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, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of turning to Allah alone for our needs and desires. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to seek help or favors from anyone other than Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), for it is only Allah who has the power to grant our wishes and fulfill our needs.

The key words in this Hadith are:

1. (Do not ask) "لا تَسْألُوا": This implies that we should refrain from seeking assistance or favors from anyone other than Allah. It highlights the importance of relying solely on Allah for our needs.

2. (other than Allah, the Glorified) "إلاّ اللّهَ سُبْحانَهُ": This phrase emphasizes that Allah alone is worthy of our supplication and reliance. It reminds us that Allah is the ultimate source of all blessings and provisions.

3. (if He grants [your wishes to] you, He honours you) "إنْ أعْطاكُمْ أكْرَمَكُمْ": This part of the Hadith highlights the generosity and honor bestowed upon the believers by Allah when He answers their prayers and fulfills their needs. It signifies that Allah's blessings are a manifestation of His love and favor towards His servants.

4. (if He withholds from you, He does it for your own welfare [and benefit])

إنْ مَنَعَكُمْ خارَ(حاز) لَكُمْ

: This portion of the Hadith emphasizes that even if Allah withholds something from us, it is for our own good. It reminds us that Allah, in His infinite wisdom, knows what is best for us and sometimes denies our requests to protect us from harm or to guide us towards something better.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186):

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

This verse emphasizes the importance of turning to Allah alone in supplication and seeking His help. Allah assures us that He is near and responsive to the calls of His servants. It is a reminder that Allah is always ready to answer our prayers and fulfill our needs if we sincerely turn to Him.

Another verse that supports the message of the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ghafir (40:60):

And your Lord says, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.' Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.

This verse reaffirms the importance of seeking help and supplicating to Allah alone. Allah promises to respond to the calls of those who sincerely invoke Him. It serves as a reminder that those who turn away from Allah's worship and seek help from others will face severe consequences.

Reflecting on the Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us the importance of relying solely on Allah for our needs and desires. By seeking help from Allah alone, we acknowledge His sovereignty and recognize that He alone has the power to grant our wishes. This reliance on Allah strengthens our faith and deepens our connection with Him.

Furthermore, this Hadith teaches us that even if our prayers are not answered or our wishes are not fulfilled, it is for our own benefit. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, knows what is best for us and sometimes withholds certain things to protect us or guide us towards something better. Therefore, we should trust in Allah's plan and have faith that His decisions are always in our best interest.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to turn to Allah alone for our needs and desires. It emphasizes the importance of relying solely on Allah and seeking His help, as He is the ultimate source of all blessings and provisions. By doing so, we strengthen our faith, deepen our connection with Allah, and trust in His divine wisdom. May Allah guide us all to follow this valuable advice and grant us the ability to rely on Him alone.