Hadith #8372

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لَيْسَ كُلُّ فُرْصَة تُصابُ۔

This can be translated as,

Not every opportunity can be realized.

In this enlightening saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the reality that not every opportunity that comes our way can be seized or achieved.

To understand the depth of this statement, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (fursah) "فُرْصَة" refers to an opportunity or a chance. It signifies a favorable moment or circumstance that presents itself to an individual. The word (tusabu) "تُصابُ" means to be attained or realized. It implies the successful achievement or acquisition of the opportunity.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:26),

Say, 'O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.'

This verse reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the ultimate controller of all opportunities and circumstances. He grants sovereignty, honor, and blessings to whom He wills. Therefore, not every opportunity that comes our way is within our control or destined for us to attain. It is ultimately Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) decision.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid (57:22), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being - indeed that, for Allah, is easy.

This verse emphasizes that every situation, whether it is perceived as an opportunity or a challenge, is predetermined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). He has complete knowledge and control over all events.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we realize that not every opportunity that presents itself to us is meant to be seized. There are various reasons why an opportunity may not be realized. It could be due to our own limitations, lack of resources, or it may simply not be in line with Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) decree for us. It is important for us to have trust in Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) wisdom and accept that He knows what is best for us.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us through this Hadith that we should not become disheartened or discouraged when we are unable to seize every opportunity that comes our way. Instead, we should focus on making the most of the opportunities that are within our reach and strive to fulfill our responsibilities to the best of our abilities.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims that not every opportunity can be realized. It is Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) who determines the outcome of our efforts and grants us the opportunities that are best for us. We should trust in His wisdom and strive to make the most of the opportunities that come our way, while accepting that not every opportunity is destined for us to attain. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us and grant us the wisdom to recognize and utilize the opportunities that are beneficial for our worldly and spiritual growth.