Hadith #1052

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Belie hope and do not trust it, for it is a deception and he who possesses it is deceived.

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to be cautious when it comes to placing our trust in mere hopes and desires. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith and explore its meaning in light of the Quran.

The word (akdhibi) "أكذِبِ" in the Hadith means to disbelieve or reject. Here, it signifies that we should not blindly believe in or rely on our hopes. Hopes, by their nature, are uncertain and can lead to disappointment if we place our complete trust in them. The word (al-amala) "الأمَلَ" refers to hope or expectation. It is a feeling of desire for something to happen or be fulfilled.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us not to trust our hopes because they can be deceptive. The word (ghuroor) "غُرُورٌ" means deception or illusion. Our hopes can often cloud our judgment and lead us astray. They can make us believe in something that may not be realistic or attainable. Therefore, it is essential to approach our hopes with caution and not place blind trust in them.

To further understand the wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yunus, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 13:7)

And those who disbelieved said, 'Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?' You are only a warner, and for every people is a guide.

This verse reminds us that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was sent as a warner, not as someone who fulfills all our desires and hopes. Our hopes should be aligned with the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ).

Another verse that sheds light on the importance of not blindly trusting our hopes is found in Surah Al-Kahf. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 18:45)

And present to them an example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.

This verse illustrates the transient nature of worldly hopes and desires. Just as rainwater nourishes the earth but eventually dries up, our hopes in this world are temporary and can fade away.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice is a reminder that we should not become deluded by our own hopes and desires. Placing complete trust in our hopes can lead to disappointment and distract us from the true purpose of our existence. Instead, we should place our trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and rely on His guidance, as stated in Surah Al-An'am, (Quran 5:23)

And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers.

By acknowledging the deceptive nature of hopes and not blindly trusting them, we can maintain a balanced perspective and seek guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all matters. This does not mean that we should abandon all hopes and aspirations, but rather we should align them with the teachings of Islam and the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). We should strive for our goals while recognizing that ultimate success lies in the pleasure of Allah and the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious when it comes to placing our trust in hopes and desires. By not blindly believing in them, we can avoid being deceived and maintain a balanced perspective. Instead, we should place our trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His guidance in all matters. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to discern between genuine hopes and deceptive illusions, and may He guide us on the straight path.