Hadith #4401

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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:

مَنْ طَلَبَ الزِّيادةَ وَقَعَ فِي النُّقصانِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

One who seeks more [than what has been apportioned for him], falls into loss.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (talaba) "طَلَبَ" means to seek or desire. It implies actively pursuing something. The word (az-ziyadah) "الزِّيادةَ" refers to seeking more or an increase beyond what has been allotted or granted. And the word (an-nuqsaan) "النُّقصانِ" means loss or deficiency.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Isra (17:80):

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse highlights the importance of contentment and seeking sustenance from Allah alone. It teaches us to be satisfied with what Allah has decreed for us and to trust in His provisions.

Furthermore, in Surah At-Talaq (65:3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.

This verse emphasizes that Allah is the ultimate provider and that He has already determined the due proportion of sustenance for each individual. Therefore, seeking more than what has been apportioned for us is futile and can lead to loss.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense wisdom and knowledge, reminds us through this Hadith that when we strive for more than what has been allotted for us, we are essentially going against the divine plan and wisdom of Allah. This pursuit of excess can lead to various negative consequences, both in this world and in the hereafter.

In this materialistic world, the desire for more wealth, power, or possessions often leads to a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction and greed. It blinds us from recognizing the blessings and contentment in what we already have. Moreover, seeking more than what is rightfully ours can lead to unethical behavior, such as dishonesty, exploitation, and injustice towards others.

On a spiritual level, seeking more than what has been apportioned for us reflects a lack of trust in Allah's wisdom and a failure to recognize His divine decree. It is a manifestation of ingratitude and a neglect of the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon us. It also distracts us from focusing on the true purpose of our existence, which is to worship and seek nearness to Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be content with what Allah has decreed for us. It urges us to trust in His provisions and to avoid the pursuit of excess, which can lead to loss and negative consequences. By embracing contentment and gratitude, we can find peace and fulfillment in this world and earn the pleasure of Allah in the hereafter. May Allah guide us all to the path of contentment and grant us the wisdom to recognize and appreciate His blessings.