Hadith #11428

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his righteous companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The virtue of loss of hope [in others] is better than the humiliation of asking [for their help].

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and maintaining one's dignity, even in difficult circumstances.

Let us analyze the key words in this Hadith. The word (husn) "حُسْنُ" means virtue or goodness, while (al-ya's) "اليَأسِ" refers to loss of hope or despair. (ajmal) "أجْمَلُ" means better or more beautiful, and (dhull) "ذُلِّ" signifies humiliation or degradation. Finally, (at-talab) "الطَّلَبِ" refers to asking or seeking help.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Yusuf (12:87),

O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of relief from Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.

This verse highlights the importance of maintaining hope in Allah's mercy and assistance, even in the face of challenging circumstances. It encourages us to rely on Allah rather than seeking help from others in a way that compromises our dignity. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes this sentiment by emphasizing the virtue of losing hope in others, as it leads to a greater sense of self-reliance and reliance on Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:45), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].

This verse reminds us that seeking help through patience and prayer is the most honorable and effective way to overcome challenges. It encourages us to rely on our own efforts and turn to Allah in times of need, rather than resorting to asking for help in a manner that may compromise our self-respect.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that it is better to maintain our dignity and self-respect by relying on Allah and our own abilities, rather than humbling ourselves before others and seeking their assistance. This does not mean that seeking help from others is inherently wrong, but rather, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining our dignity and self-reliance whenever possible.

By embodying the virtue of loss of hope in others, we cultivate a sense of inner strength and resilience. We become more motivated to find solutions to our problems and rely on Allah's guidance and support. This mindset allows us to face challenges with patience and trust in Allah's plan, knowing that He is the ultimate source of help and relief.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the virtue of losing hope in others and emphasizes the importance of maintaining our dignity and self-reliance. It encourages us to turn to Allah in times of need and seek His assistance through patience, prayer, and reliance on our own abilities. By embodying this virtue, we can cultivate inner strength and resilience, and ultimately, find solace in Allah's mercy and guidance. May Allah grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives.