Hadith #5905

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

المُصيبُ واجِدٌ، المُخْطِئُ فاقِدٌ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

The one who hits the mark, achieves and the one who errs, loses.

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

First, let us examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (al-musīb) "المُصيبُ" refers to the one who hits the mark or attains success. It signifies someone who is able to accomplish their goals and fulfill their objectives. On the other hand, the word (al-mukhtī) "المُخْطِئُ" refers to the one who errs or makes a mistake. It denotes someone who deviates from the right path and fails to achieve their desired outcome.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 148,

For each [religious following] is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.

This verse emphasizes the importance of striving towards goodness and righteousness. It highlights the need for individuals to race towards virtuous deeds and actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Asr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states in verses 1-3,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

These verses remind us that the majority of humanity is in a state of loss, except for those who believe in Allah, perform righteous deeds, and encourage one another towards truth and patience. This highlights the importance of staying on the right path and avoiding errors and mistakes.

Based on these Quranic verses, we can understand the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) as a call to action. It urges Muslims to strive for success and avoid mistakes and errors. Just as hitting the mark leads to achievement, adhering to the path of righteousness and fulfilling our obligations as Muslims leads to success in this world and the hereafter.

When we hit the mark by fulfilling our religious duties, such as performing the obligatory prayers, giving charity, and observing fasts, we achieve spiritual growth and closeness to Allah. We attain the rewards promised by Him and experience the tranquility and contentment that come with a strong connection to our Creator.

On the other hand, when we err and deviate from the path of righteousness, we lose out on the blessings and rewards that Allah has promised. Our actions may lead to negative consequences in this life and the hereafter. For example, if we neglect our prayers or engage in sinful behavior, we may experience a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction. Our relationship with Allah may weaken, and we may face difficulties and challenges as a result of our mistakes.

Therefore, this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly strive for success and avoid errors and mistakes. It encourages us to reflect on our actions and ensure that we are consistently hitting the mark in our pursuit of righteousness. By doing so, we can achieve spiritual growth, attain the pleasure of Allah, and secure success in both this world and the hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of hitting the mark and avoiding errors. It reminds us to strive for success by fulfilling our religious obligations and adhering to the path of righteousness. By doing so, we can achieve spiritual growth, attain the pleasure of Allah, and secure success in this life and the hereafter. May Allah guide us all on the straight path and grant us success in our endeavors.