Hadith #4370

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the 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) highlights an important aspect of Allah's divine wisdom and mercy in providing sustenance to His believing servants. The key words in this Hadith are (sustenance) "أرزاق" and (from where they least expect it) "حَيثُ لايَحتَسِبُونَ".

The term "أرزاق" refers to the provisions and sustenance that Allah bestows upon His creation. It encompasses not only material wealth but also encompasses spiritual, emotional, and intellectual nourishment. It is a comprehensive term that encompasses all aspects of our lives.

The phrase "حَيثُ لايَحتَسِبُونَ" can be translated as

from where they least expect it.

This phrase emphasizes the unexpected and miraculous nature of Allah's provision. It signifies that Allah's sustenance can come to us from sources that we may not anticipate or consider.

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah At-Talaq, Allah says, (Quran 65:2-3)

And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent

This Quranic verse beautifully complements the message of the Hadith. It assures us that if we have faith in Allah and fear Him, He will provide for us in ways that we cannot even imagine. Allah is the ultimate provider, and He has the power to create sustenance for His servants from the most unexpected sources.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ankabut, Allah says, (Quran 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 passage reminds us that trials and hardships are a part of life, and they can affect our sustenance. However, those who remain patient and rely on Allah will be blessed with His mercy and guidance. They will find sustenance even in the midst of difficulties because Allah is the ultimate provider.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims that we should not limit our expectations of sustenance to conventional means. We should have trust in Allah's infinite wisdom and ability to provide for us. Sometimes, Allah may bless us with sustenance from sources we never expected, such as unexpected job opportunities, unexpected financial support, or unexpected solutions to our problems.

This Hadith also teaches us the importance of relying on Allah and having faith in His divine plan. It encourages us to let go of our worries and anxieties about sustenance and instead focus on developing a strong connection with Allah. When we trust in Allah's provision, we free ourselves from the stress and anxiety that comes with constantly worrying about our material needs.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that Allah is the ultimate provider, and He can bless us with sustenance from the most unexpected sources. It encourages us to have faith in Allah's divine plan and to rely on Him in all aspects of our lives. By trusting in Allah and letting go of our worries, we can find peace and contentment in His abundant provision. May Allah grant us the understanding and wisdom to apply the teachings of this Hadith in our lives.