Hadith #3436

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "إذا أمْضَيْتَ فَاسْتَخِرْ۔" This can be translated as,

When you embark on something, seek what is best from it.

In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to seek guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) before undertaking any task or making any decision.

The word (idha) "إذا" in the Hadith means "when" or "whenever." It signifies that seeking guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is not a one-time act, but rather a continuous process that should be followed whenever we embark on something new. This highlights the importance of seeking Allah's guidance in all aspects of our lives.

The word (amdiyta) "أمْضَيْتَ" is derived from the root word (mada) "مَضَى", which means "to embark" or "to set out." It refers to starting a new endeavor, whether it be a personal goal, a career path, or a decision that needs to be made. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to seek what is best from it, indicating that we should strive for excellence and make choices that align with our values and the teachings of Islam.

To understand the significance of seeking guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our endeavors, we can turn to the Quran for further insight. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 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 closeness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to His servants and His willingness to respond to their supplications. It encourages Muslims to turn to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His guidance through prayer and supplication. By seeking Allah's guidance, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and recognize that He is the ultimate source of wisdom and knowledge.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Furqan, verse 59, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And rely upon the Ever-Living who does not die, and exalt [Allah] with His praise. And sufficient is He to be, with the sins of His servants, Acquainted.

This verse reminds us to rely on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our affairs, for He is the Ever-Living who never dies. By seeking His guidance, we place our trust in Him and acknowledge His infinite knowledge and wisdom. This reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) brings us closer to Him and strengthens our connection with Him.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to seek what is best from their endeavors. This means that we should strive for excellence and make choices that align with our values and the teachings of Islam. Seeking what is best requires us to reflect on the consequences of our actions and make decisions that will bring about positive outcomes.

For example, if someone is considering a career path, they should seek guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and make choices that will not only benefit them financially but also allow them to contribute positively to society. Similarly, when making personal decisions, such as choosing a life partner or deciding on a course of action, seeking what is best entails considering the long-term consequences and choosing the path that aligns with our values and leads to personal growth and spiritual development.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to seek what is best from their endeavors by seeking guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This Hadith emphasizes the importance of relying on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all aspects of our lives and making choices that align with our values and the teachings of Islam. By seeking what is best, we strive for excellence and ensure that our actions and decisions lead to positive outcomes. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in all our endeavors and grant us success in this life and the Hereafter.