Hadith #4396

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the concept of sustenance and the importance of trust in Allah's provision. Let us delve deeper into the words of this profound Hadith.

The first important word in this Hadith is (mudrikun) "مُدْرِكٌ", which means "acquire" or "attain." This word signifies that every individual will receive their allotted share of sustenance. It reminds us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has decreed a portion for each of us, and we will undoubtedly receive what has been destined for us. This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran in Surah Al-Hijr, verse 21:

And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register.

The next word is (rizqak) "رِزْقَكَ", which refers to sustenance. It encompasses not only material provisions but also encompasses spiritual, emotional, and intellectual nourishment. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the Provider of all our needs, and He has promised to sustain us. In Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 60, Allah says:

And if harm touches you, it is He who can remove it, and if He intends for you good, then there is none who can repel His bounty. He causes it to reach whom He wills of His servants. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

The third word is (mustawf) "مُسْتَوْف", which means "fulfilled" or "completed." It signifies that whatever has been written and decreed for us will undoubtedly come to pass. Allah's decree is absolute, and His promises are unwavering. In Surah Al-An'am, verse 59, Allah assures us:

And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then advises us to spare ourselves from the troubles of greed and the humiliation of constantly seeking from others. Greed is a destructive trait that leads to discontentment and dissatisfaction. It blinds us from recognizing the bounties that Allah has already bestowed upon us and creates an insatiable desire for more. In Surah Al-Hashr, verse 9, Allah warns against the consequences of greed:

And those who came after them say, 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.'

Furthermore, constantly seeking from others can lead to a sense of humiliation and dependency. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to trust in Allah and take it easy in our earning. This means that while we should strive and work diligently, we should also have faith that Allah will provide for us. In Surah At-Talaq, verse 3, Allah promises:

And He 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.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of contentment, trust in Allah's provision, and the need to avoid the negative traits of greed and constant dependency on others. We should strive to strike a balance between our efforts and reliance on Allah, knowing that He is the ultimate Provider and Sustainer. May Allah grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives.