Hadith #2571

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Favour is gained in the sight of the Creator by yearning for that which is with Him; favour is gained with the creatures by turning away from what they possess.

This thought-provoking Hadith highlights the importance of our relationship with both Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His creation.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith. The word (huzwah) "حُظْوَةُ" refers to favor or grace. It signifies the attainment of something desirable or beneficial. The word (khaliq) "خالِقِ" refers to the Creator, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), who has created everything in existence. The word (raghbah) "رَغْبَةِ" means yearning or desire. It implies a deep longing or inclination towards something.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that favor with the Creator is attained by yearning for that which is with Him. This means that when we sincerely desire and long for the nearness and pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we are granted His favor and blessings. This yearning can be manifested through acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, charity, and seeking knowledge. It is through these actions that we demonstrate our love and devotion to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and in turn, we are rewarded with His favor.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the concept of yearning for Allah's favor. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 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

This verse emphasizes the closeness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to His servants and His willingness to respond to their supplications. When we yearn for Allah's favor and turn to Him in sincere supplication, we can be assured that He will answer our prayers.

On the other hand, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) also teaches us that favor with the creatures is gained by turning away from what they possess. This means that in our interactions with fellow human beings, we should not be driven by a desire for worldly possessions or material gain. Instead, we should focus on building genuine relationships, showing kindness, and fulfilling the needs of others without expecting anything in return.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of turning away from worldly possessions and focusing on the well-being of others. In Surah Al-Hashr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 76:8-9)

And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude'

This verse highlights the selflessness and sincerity of those who give for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) without expecting anything in return. By turning away from what they possess and giving to those in need, they gain favor with the creatures and earn the love and appreciation of their fellow human beings.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teachings in this Hadith remind us of the importance of our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His creation. By yearning for Allah's favor and turning away from worldly possessions, we can attain spiritual growth and earn the favor of both the Creator and His creatures. This Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize their relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to treat others with kindness, generosity, and selflessness.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to yearn for His favor and to turn away from worldly possessions. May He bless us with His grace and mercy in this life and the Hereafter. And may we strive to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our interactions with both Allah and His creation.