Hadith #4447

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, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the divine wisdom behind the afflictions and trials that befall the believers. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that Allah, the Glorified, does not repel any of the afflictions of this world and the chastisements of the Hereafter from the believer except because of two important factors: the believer's satisfaction with Allah's decree and their good patience in the face of trials.

Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (balā) "بَلاءِ" refers to afflictions, trials, and tests that a person may face in their life. It encompasses both the difficulties of this world and the punishments of the Hereafter. The word (ʿadhāb) "عَذَابِ" specifically refers to the punishments in the Hereafter. The word (riḍā) "رِضَا" means satisfaction, contentment, and acceptance of Allah's decree. And the word (ṣabr) "صَبْرِ" means patience, perseverance, and endurance.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:155-157):

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.' Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.

This Quranic verse beautifully echoes the essence of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. It emphasizes that trials and tribulations are an inevitable part of life, and they serve as tests for the believers. The true believers are those who remain patient and steadfast in the face of adversity, recognizing that everything belongs to Allah and that they will ultimately return to Him. Such individuals are blessed with the mercy and guidance of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:2-3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Do the people think that they will be left to say, 'We believe' and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.

This Quranic verse emphasizes that trials and tests are an integral part of the believers' journey. It is through these tests that Allah distinguishes between the truthful and the liars. The sincere believers, who are satisfied with Allah's decree and patiently endure their trials, are the ones who prove their faith and are elevated in the sight of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that Allah does not repel the afflictions and punishments from the believers arbitrarily. Rather, these trials serve a purpose in shaping and purifying the believers' souls. They provide an opportunity for the believers to demonstrate their trust in Allah, their acceptance of His decree, and their patience in the face of difficulties.

When a believer faces a trial, they have a choice: to complain and resist, or to accept and endure with patience. By choosing the latter, they align themselves with the divine wisdom and submit to Allah's will. This acceptance and patience not only earn the pleasure of Allah but also bring about spiritual growth and development.

Moreover, the Hadith teaches us that the satisfaction with Allah's decree and patience in trials are interconnected. When a believer is content with Allah's decree, they are more likely to exhibit patience and endurance in the face of trials. This contentment arises from recognizing that Allah is the All-Wise, All-Knowing, and All-Merciful, and that He has a greater plan and purpose behind every affliction.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith sheds light on the profound wisdom behind the trials and afflictions that befall the believers. It emphasizes the importance of being satisfied with Allah's decree and exhibiting patience in the face of trials. Through these tests, believers have the opportunity to demonstrate their trust in Allah, strengthen their faith, and attain spiritual growth. May Allah grant us the ability to accept His decree and endure trials with patience, and may He shower His blessings and mercy upon all the believers.