Hadith #11055

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "التَّوْفِيقُ رَحْمَةٌ۔" which translates to

God-given success is a mercy.

Let us delve into the significance of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (tawfiq) "تَوْفِيق" refers to divine guidance, assistance, and success that is granted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to His servants. It is a mercy from Allah, enabling individuals to achieve their goals and fulfill their duties in a righteous manner. This divine tawfiq is not limited to worldly success but encompasses spiritual growth and the attainment of eternal salvation.

The Quranic verses beautifully illustrate the concept of tawfiq and its connection to divine mercy. In Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), 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 comes solely from Allah, and it is He who grants tawfiq to whomsoever He wills.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

Here, we see that by fearing Allah and seeking His pleasure, believers are promised divine tawfiq, which includes the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, as well as the forgiveness of sins.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the profound connection between tawfiq and divine mercy. It reminds us that success in any endeavor, be it worldly or spiritual, is ultimately a mercy from Allah. This understanding has profound implications for our lives as Muslims.

When we recognize that all success comes from Allah, we are humbled and reminded of our dependence on Him. This realization instills in us a sense of gratitude and humility, as we acknowledge that our achievements are not solely due to our own efforts, but are a result of Allah's mercy and guidance.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a motivation for us to strive for success in all aspects of our lives. Whether it is in our studies, careers, relationships, or worship, we should seek tawfiq from Allah and rely on His guidance. By doing so, we align ourselves with the divine will and increase our chances of attaining success.

Additionally, this Hadith reminds us of the consequences of neglecting the mercy of Allah. If we become arrogant and attribute our success solely to our own abilities, we risk losing the divine tawfiq. Allah warns us in the Quran that those who are ungrateful and deny His mercy will be deprived of His guidance and assistance.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that success is a mercy from Allah. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging the divine tawfiq in our lives. By seeking Allah's guidance, being grateful for His mercy, and striving for success in accordance with His teachings, we can attain both worldly and spiritual success. May Allah grant us all His tawfiq and shower His mercy upon us.