Hadith #6400

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

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

إذا أحَبَّ اللّهُ عَبْداً ألْهَمَهُ رُشْدَهُ، ووَفَّقَهُ لِطاعَتِهِ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the profound relationship between Allah and His beloved servants. It highlights that when Allah loves a servant, He bestows upon them divine guidance and facilitates their success in obeying His commands.

To delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith, let us examine the key words and their implications. The word (loves) "أحَبَّ" signifies the immense affection and favor that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His servants. It is an expression of His boundless mercy and compassion towards those who strive to please Him. The word (servant) "عَبْداً" refers to a believer who humbly submits to the will of Allah and seeks His pleasure in all aspects of life.

The phrase (inspires him with right guidance) "ألْهَمَهُ رُشْدَهُ" indicates that when Allah loves a servant, He grants them divine inspiration and insight. This guidance encompasses both spiritual and worldly matters, enabling the servant to navigate through life with wisdom and righteousness. It includes guidance in matters of faith, morality, ethics, and decision-making. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, blesses His beloved servant with the ability to discern between right and wrong, and to make choices that align with His divine will.

Furthermore, the phrase (makes him successful in His obedience) "ووَفَّقَهُ لِطاعَتِهِ" highlights that Allah not only inspires His beloved servant with guidance but also facilitates their success in obeying His commands. This success is not limited to mere compliance but extends to the servant's ability to fulfill their religious obligations with sincerity, devotion, and excellence. Allah's love empowers the servant to overcome challenges, resist temptations, and persevere in their journey of obedience.

The exegesis of this Hadith finds support in numerous Quranic verses. For instance, Allah says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29),

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse emphasizes that when a believer fears Allah and seeks His love, Allah grants them a criterion to distinguish between right and wrong. He purifies their hearts from sins and forgives their transgressions, enabling them to walk on the path of righteousness.

Another verse that resonates with the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:7), where Allah says,

And We inspired to the mother of Moses, 'Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers.'

This verse illustrates how Allah inspired the mother of Prophet Moses (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) with the right guidance to protect her child. It exemplifies how Allah's love for His servants manifests in divine inspiration and guidance during critical moments of their lives.

The consequences of Allah's love and guidance are profound. When a servant is blessed with Allah's love, they become a source of inspiration and guidance for others. Their actions and words reflect the divine wisdom and righteousness that Allah has bestowed upon them. Their success in obeying Allah's commands becomes a means of calling others towards the path of truth and righteousness. Their lives become a testament to the transformative power of Allah's love and guidance.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of seeking Allah's love and striving to be among His beloved servants. It is a reminder that our relationship with Allah is not one-sided, but rather a reciprocal bond. When we sincerely strive to please Allah, He reciprocates by granting us divine guidance and facilitating our success in obeying Him. This Hadith serves as a motivation for us to continuously seek Allah's love and guidance, knowing that it is through His love that we attain true success and fulfillment in this world and the Hereafter.

May Allah, in His infinite mercy, grant us His love, inspire us with right guidance, and make us successful in His obedience. May we be among those who are beloved to Allah and who strive to spread His love and guidance to others. Ameen.