Hadith #8204

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

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

اِسْتَغْنِ عَمَّنْ شِئْتَ وكُنْ (تَكُنْ) نَظِيرَهُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

Dispense with your dependency on anyone and you will be like him.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. The word (istaghni) "اِسْتَغْنِ" means to become self-sufficient or independent. It implies freeing oneself from relying on others for one's needs. The word (amman) "عَمَّنْ" refers to anyone or everyone. (shi'ta) "شِئْتَ" means whoever you wish or desire. The word (kun) "كُنْ" is a command form of the verb "to be" and here it means "be" or "become." Finally, (nathirahu) "نَظِيرَهُ" means like him or similar to him.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Isra (17:80):

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking self-sufficiency and relying on Allah's sustenance rather than depending solely on others.

Furthermore, in Surah At-Talaq (65:3), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.

This verse emphasizes the limitless provisions that Allah bestows upon His creation and encourages us to place our trust in Him alone.

Now, let us reflect on the exegesis of the Hadith itself. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, advises us to dispense with our dependency on anyone. This does not mean that we should isolate ourselves from society or disregard the importance of human interaction and support. Rather, it urges us to prioritize our reliance on Allah and seek self-sufficiency in our actions and decisions.

By freeing ourselves from the need for constant validation and approval from others, we can develop a sense of inner strength and confidence. This self-sufficiency allows us to make choices based on our own values and principles, rather than being swayed by external influences. It empowers us to take responsibility for our own well-being and success.

When we become self-sufficient, we become like the one we were dependent on. This means that by relying on Allah alone, we align ourselves with His attributes of independence and self-sufficiency. We become closer to emulating the qualities of Allah, who is free from any need or dependency.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of seeking self-sufficiency and relying on Allah's provisions. It encourages us to detach ourselves from excessive dependency on others and instead place our trust in the limitless sustenance provided by our Creator. By doing so, we can attain a sense of inner strength, independence, and alignment with the attributes of Allah. May Allah guide us all to become self-sufficient and grant us the wisdom to rely on Him alone.