Hadith #3421

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

ظَفَرَ بِالخَيْرِ مَنْ طَلَبَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

He who seeks good will triumph by it.

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

The word (zafara) "ظَفَرَ" means to triumph or to be victorious. It signifies achieving success and attaining the desired outcome. The word (bil-khayr) "بِالخَيْرِ" refers to goodness, righteousness, and all that is beneficial. And the word (talabahu) "طَلَبَهُ" means to seek or to strive for.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of seeking goodness and righteousness. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 197, Allah says,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (piety).

This verse highlights that the ultimate provision for success in this world and the hereafter is righteousness and piety.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 28, Allah narrates the story of two men, one of whom had been given gardens and wealth by Allah. The man who was blessed with gardens arrogantly said,

I do not think that this will ever perish. And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return.

However, his companion, who was a believer, advised him saying,

Do you disbelieve in He who created you from dust and then from a sperm-drop and then proportioned you as a man? But as for me, He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not associate anything with my Lord. And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, 'What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah'? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children, It may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden and will send upon it a calamity from the sky, and it will become a smooth, dusty ground.

This story serves as a reminder that true success lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah and relying on Him alone.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of actively seeking goodness and righteousness. It teaches us that those who strive and make efforts to attain goodness will ultimately triumph and succeed. This Hadith encourages us to be proactive in our pursuit of righteousness, to actively seek knowledge, to engage in acts of worship, and to strive for moral excellence.

When we seek goodness, we align ourselves with the divine will and purpose. Our intentions become pure, and our actions become a means of drawing closer to Allah. The act of seeking goodness itself is a manifestation of our faith and trust in Allah's guidance and mercy. It is a reflection of our recognition that true success lies in following the path of righteousness, as outlined in the Quran and exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

The consequences of seeking goodness are manifold. Firstly, it brings about personal growth and spiritual development. When we actively seek goodness, we purify our hearts, refine our character, and increase in knowledge and wisdom. Secondly, seeking goodness enables us to positively impact the world around us. Our actions and words become a source of inspiration and guidance for others, leading them towards the path of righteousness. Thirdly, seeking goodness brings about a sense of contentment and inner peace. Knowing that we are striving to please Allah and fulfill our purpose in life brings a deep sense of fulfillment and tranquility.

Let us reflect on the motivation behind seeking goodness. As Muslims, our motivation should be rooted in our love for Allah and our desire to attain His pleasure. We should seek goodness not for personal gain or recognition, but solely for the sake of Allah. This motivation ensures that our actions are sincere and free from any form of hypocrisy.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to actively seek goodness and righteousness. It highlights the importance of striving for moral excellence, seeking knowledge, and engaging in acts of worship. By seeking goodness, we align ourselves with the divine will and purpose, and ultimately, we will triumph and succeed. May Allah grant us the ability to seek goodness and may He make us among those who are victorious in this world and the hereafter.