Hadith #1056

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Blessings and peace 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,

إحْذَرُوا الأمَلَ المَغْلُوبَ، والنَّعيمَ المَسْلُوبَ

which translates to

Be cautious of dashed hopes and seized blessings.

This wise utterance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of being mindful and vigilant in our lives, particularly in relation to our hopes and blessings.

Let us first delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. "الأمَلَ المَغْلُوبَ" refers to dashed hopes or hopes that are shattered and unfulfilled. It warns us against placing our trust and expectations in worldly matters that are uncertain and transient. Similarly, "النَّعيمَ المَسْلُوبَ" refers to seized blessings or blessings that are taken away from us. It cautions us to be aware of the blessings that we may take for granted or lose due to our own negligence or ingratitude.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yunus (10:23), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us,

And when adversity touches man, he calls upon Us, whether lying on his side or sitting or standing. But when We remove from him his adversity, he continues [in disobedience] as if he had never called upon Us to remove an adversity that touched him. Thus is made pleasing to the transgressors that which they have been doing.

This verse highlights the tendency of humans to forget Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and become heedless of His blessings once their difficulties are alleviated. It serves as a warning against taking our blessings for granted and failing to appreciate them.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid (57:23), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

That is because they followed what angered Allah and disliked [what earns] His pleasure, so He rendered worthless their deeds.

This verse emphasizes the consequences of disregarding the blessings and guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). When we neglect or misuse the blessings bestowed upon us, we risk losing their value and the rewards associated with them.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious and mindful of their hopes and blessings. It urges us to place our ultimate hope and trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone, rather than relying on the uncertainties of this world. It also encourages us to appreciate and cherish the blessings we have been granted, recognizing that they are gifts from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that can be taken away if we are not grateful and responsible.

For example, let us consider a person who places all their hopes and aspirations in material wealth and success. They may work tirelessly to accumulate wealth and achieve success, believing that it will bring them happiness and fulfillment. However, if their hopes are dashed and they do not attain the desired level of wealth or success, they may experience disappointment and despair. This is a consequence of placing their hopes in something transient and uncertain, rather than seeking contentment and satisfaction through a deeper connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Similarly, let us imagine a person who is blessed with good health, a loving family, and a stable livelihood. However, if they fail to recognize and appreciate these blessings, they may become complacent and take them for granted. This lack of gratitude can lead to a loss of blessings, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) may withdraw His favors due to our negligence and ingratitude.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of dashed hopes and seized blessings. It urges us to place our ultimate trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to appreciate and cherish the blessings we have been granted. By doing so, we can lead a more fulfilling and grateful life, seeking contentment through our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rather than relying on the uncertainties of this world. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be mindful and grateful, and protect us from dashed hopes and seized blessings.