Hadith #1668

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 progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

لايَنْفَعُ إجتِهادٌ بِغَيرِ تَوْفيق۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of divine assistance and guidance in the success of our endeavors. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ijtihad) "إجتِهادٌ" in this Hadith refers to our sincere efforts, struggles, and endeavors in various aspects of life, such as seeking knowledge, performing acts of worship, and striving for success in our worldly affairs. It is a term that encompasses our determination and hard work in pursuing our goals.

The word (tawfiq) "تَوْفيق۔" in this Hadith refers to the divine assistance, guidance, and success that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grants to His servants. It is a manifestation of His mercy and favor upon us, enabling us to achieve our goals and objectives.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that highlight the significance of seeking Allah's guidance and relying on His support in our endeavors. Allah says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:30),

And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.

This verse reminds us that even in the face of adversity and opposition, the believers should put their trust in Allah and seek His guidance. Our efforts alone may not be sufficient to overcome challenges, but with Allah's support and planning, we can overcome any obstacle.

Another verse that emphasizes the importance of divine assistance is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), where Allah says,

Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse reminds us that true guidance comes from Allah alone. Our efforts to guide others or ourselves are futile without His divine intervention. It is only through His tawfiq that we can attain true success and righteousness.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we understand that our ijtihad, no matter how sincere and diligent, is incomplete without the tawfiq from Allah. Our efforts alone cannot guarantee success, as it is ultimately Allah who grants success to whom He wills.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for us to constantly seek Allah's guidance and support in all aspects of our lives. It teaches us humility, acknowledging that our achievements are not solely the result of our own efforts, but a blessing from Allah. It encourages us to rely on Allah's tawfiq and to constantly turn to Him in supplication and seeking His help.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that our ijtihad, our sincere efforts, are incomplete without the tawfiq from Allah. It urges us to rely on Allah's guidance and support in all our endeavors, recognizing that true success comes only through His divine assistance. May Allah grant us the wisdom to seek His guidance and bless our efforts with His tawfiq.