Hadith #8718

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The descending of destiny overtakes precaution.

This enlightening Hadith highlights the concept of divine decree and its relationship with human efforts and precautions. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (nuzul) "نُزُولُ" in the Hadith refers to the descent or arrival of destiny. It signifies the unfolding of events that are predestined by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in His infinite wisdom. The word (al-qadar) "القَدَرِ" refers to destiny or divine decree. It encompasses all that occurs in the universe, including both the good and the seemingly unfavorable events.

The phrase (yasbiq al-hathar) "يَسْبِقُ الحَذَرَ" translates to "overtakes precaution." It indicates that destiny has the power to surpass and override the measures and precautions taken by individuals. It emphasizes that while it is essential to take precautions and make efforts, ultimately, the decree of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) will prevail.

The Quran provides us with several verses that shed light on the concept of divine decree and its relationship with human actions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:22),

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 event, whether perceived as positive or negative, is already recorded in the divine decree.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:84), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Say, 'Each works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way.'

This verse highlights that while humans have the freedom to make choices and take precautions, it is ultimately Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) who knows best the outcome of their actions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the delicate balance between human efforts and divine decree. It teaches us that while we must strive and take precautions in our endeavors, we should also recognize that ultimately, it is Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) who controls the outcome. This understanding instills in us humility, trust, and reliance on Allah's wisdom and plan.

For example, a person may take all necessary precautions to protect their health, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and seeking medical advice. However, despite their efforts, they may still fall ill. This Hadith reminds us that even though we take precautions, it is ultimately Allah's decree that determines the outcome. This understanding helps us accept and cope with the challenges and trials that we face in life.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a motivation for Muslims to put their trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His guidance in all matters. It encourages us to make efforts and take precautions while recognizing that our ultimate reliance should be on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This reliance on Allah's decree does not negate the importance of human actions but rather reminds us of the limits of our control and the need to surrender to the will of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

The descending of destiny overtakes precaution

highlights the concept of divine decree and its relationship with human efforts and precautions. It reminds us that while we must take precautions and make efforts, ultimately, it is Allah's decree that determines the outcome. This understanding instills in us humility, trust, and reliance on Allah's wisdom and plan. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to accept His decree and seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.