Hadith #6509

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

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

One who admires his good state falls short of attaining good expediencies.

Let us delve into the meaning of this beautiful saying and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (u'jiba) "أُعْجِبَ" in the Hadith refers to being amazed or impressed by something. It signifies a state of being captivated by the external appearance or superficial qualities of a person or situation. On the other hand, (husni halatihi) "حُسْنِ حالَتِهَ" refers to the good state or condition of someone. It implies being pleased with one's current circumstances, whether it be in terms of wealth, health, or social status.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) cautions that those who are solely preoccupied with admiring their good state fail to recognize the importance of (husni hīlatihi) "حُسْنِ حيلَتِهِ", which translates to good expediencies or strategies. This phrase highlights the significance of utilizing one's abilities, skills, and resources to achieve success and overcome challenges.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

This verse emphasizes that worldly possessions and temporary pleasures are fleeting and transient. They may captivate us momentarily, but they do not hold lasting value. Similarly, being captivated by one's good state without considering the means to sustain and enhance it is akin to being enamored by the temporary growth of a plant that eventually withers away.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also advises us in Surah Al-Asr (103:2-3),

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 true success lies in faith, righteous actions, and mutual counsel towards truth and patience.

Therefore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to go beyond being captivated by our good state and instead focus on developing and utilizing our skills, knowledge, and resources to achieve success in both this world and the hereafter. It is not enough to be content with our current circumstances; we must actively seek ways to improve ourselves and contribute positively to society.

For instance, if someone is blessed with wealth, they should not simply be satisfied with their financial state, but rather use their resources to help the less fortunate, support charitable causes, and invest in projects that benefit society. Similarly, if someone possesses knowledge, they should not be complacent with their intellectual achievements, but rather strive to share knowledge, educate others, and contribute to the betterment of humanity.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that true success lies not in being captivated by our good state, but in utilizing our abilities and resources to make a positive impact. It encourages us to be proactive, innovative, and strategic in our endeavors, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the betterment of society.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the deeper meanings of His guidance and the ability to implement them in our lives. May we strive to go beyond admiring our good state and instead focus on attaining good expediencies that lead to success in this world and the hereafter.