Hawzah News Agency | Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (lit. Adornment of the Worshippers), peace be upon him, addresses the Almighty God in Sahifa Sajjadiyyah with these words:
«إِذَا هَمَمْنَا بِهَمَّیْنِ یُرْضِیکَ أَحَدُهُمَا عَنَّا وَ یُسْخِطُکَ الْآخَرُ عَلَیْنَا، فَمِلْ بِنَا إِلَی مَا یُرْضِیکَ عَنَّا وَ أَوْهِنْ قُوَّتَنَا عَمَّا یُسْخِطُکَ عَلَیْنَا.»
"Whenever we are faced with two tasks—one that gains Your approval and the other that incurs Your wrath—incline us towards the one that earns Your pleasure, and weaken our inclination towards that which angers You." (Supplication no. 20)
Explanation:
Human beings, both internally and externally, are constantly confronted with the dual forces of good and evil.
Though humans are created with free will, they are also equipped with the tools for recognition, movement, and growth. The path of guidance has been made clear to them through God’s messengers and divine scriptures. Yet, despite all this, humans may succumb to their own desires and the influence of Satan, failing to utilize their free will, knowledge, and guidance as they ought to. As a result, they may deviate from the path of righteousness, failing to secure God’s pleasure and instead incurring His wrath.
Thus, humans are in need of an additional blessing from the Almighty—a gift known as tawfiq (divine success).
Tawfiq enables one to remain steadfast on the divine path, which is the path to eternal happiness.
In a narration from Imam al-Baqir peace be upon him regarding the interpretation of the phrase "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah - لا حول و لا قوّة إلّا بالله" (There is no power nor strength except through God), he says:
«مَعْنَاهُ لاَ حَوْلَ لَنَا عَنْ مَعْصِیَةِ اَللَّهِ إِلاَّ بِعَوْنِ اَللَّهِ وَ لاَ قُوَّةَ لَنَا عَلَی طَاعَةِ اَللَّهِ إِلاَّ بِتَوْفِیقِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.»
"Its meaning is that we have no power to turn away from disobedience to God except through His help, and we have no strength to obey Him except through His divine success (tawfiq)." (Al-Tawhid, v.1, p. 242)
This is why Prophet Shu'aib peace be upon him said to the disbelievers in the Holy Qur’an:
«وَمَا تَوْفِیقِی إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ.»
"and my success lies only with Allah." (11:88)
It is important to note, however, that asking for tawfiq from God without effort and striving is meaningless. As Imam al-Ridha peace be upon him said:
«وَ مَنْ سَأَلَ اَللَّهَ اَلتَّوْفِیقَ وَ لَمْ یَجْتَهِدْ فَقَدِ اِسْتَهَزَأَ بِنَفْسِهِ.»
"Whoever asks God for tawfiq and does not strive for it is mocking himself." (Bihar al-Anwar, v. 75, p. 356)
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