Hadith #7513

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

أعْلَمُ النّاسِ بِاللّهِ أكْثَرُهُمْ لَهُ مَسْئَلَةً۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge about Allah and asking Him for our needs. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (a'lamu) "أعْلَمُ" in this Hadith means "the most knowledgeable" or

the one who knows the most.

It highlights the significance of acquiring knowledge, particularly knowledge about Allah. This knowledge encompasses understanding His attributes, His commands, and His guidance. It also includes recognizing His mercy, His justice, and His wisdom.

The word (mas'alah) "مَسْئَلَةً" means "a request" or "a need." It refers to the act of asking Allah for our desires, needs, and supplications. This Hadith teaches us that the one who possesses the most knowledge about Allah is the one who frequently turns to Him in supplication and seeks His help and guidance.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (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 importance of asking Allah and seeking His help, as He is always near and ready to respond to our prayers.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ghafir (40:60), Allah says,

And your Lord says, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.' Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.

This verse highlights the significance of calling upon Allah and seeking His assistance. It reminds us that those who neglect or belittle the act of supplication will face severe consequences.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to increase our knowledge of Allah and to seek His guidance and assistance through supplication. The more we learn about Allah's attributes, His mercy, and His wisdom, the better equipped we become to understand our own needs and seek His help in fulfilling them.

By frequently turning to Allah in supplication, we establish a deep connection with Him and strengthen our faith. This act of asking Allah for our needs not only demonstrates our dependence on Him but also acknowledges His infinite power and mercy. It humbles us and reminds us of our reliance on Him for every aspect of our lives.

Moreover, the act of asking Allah for our needs instills in us a sense of gratitude and contentment. When we recognize that Allah is the ultimate provider and sustainer, we develop a mindset of gratitude for His blessings and a contentment with His decree. This leads to inner peace and tranquility, knowing that Allah is the bestower of all good and the one who answers our prayers.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of seeking knowledge about Allah and asking Him for our needs. It encourages us to deepen our understanding of His attributes and to establish a strong connection with Him through supplication. By doing so, we strengthen our faith, cultivate gratitude, and find solace in the knowledge that Allah is the ultimate provider and the one who answers our prayers. May Allah grant us the wisdom to seek knowledge about Him and the humility to turn to Him in supplication.