Hadith #8973

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to reduce their speech and shorten their hopes. This guidance emphasizes the importance of being concise in our speech and having realistic expectations in life. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to avoid saying anything that may lead to sin or cause someone to distance themselves from us.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to understand its significance. The word (reduce) "أقْلِلْ" implies the need to limit the amount and length of our speech. It encourages us to be mindful of our words and to speak only when necessary. This teaches us the importance of choosing our words wisely and avoiding unnecessary chatter or gossip.

The phrase (shorten your hopes) "وقَصِّرِ الآمالَ" advises us to have realistic expectations in life. It reminds us that excessive expectations can lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction. By shortening our hopes, we learn to be content with what Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has decreed for us and to appreciate the blessings we already have. This aligns with the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises us not to say anything that may earn us sin or alienate a freeman from us. This highlights the importance of guarding our tongues and being mindful of the impact our words can have on ourselves and others. The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Isra (17:53) reminds us,

Tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.

By refraining from saying things that may lead to sin, we protect ourselves from the consequences of our own words. Additionally, by avoiding words that may alienate others, we maintain harmonious relationships and promote unity within the Muslim community. The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11) beautifully captures this sentiment,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith encourages us to be mindful of our speech, to have realistic expectations, and to be cautious of the consequences of our words. By reducing our speech and shortening our hopes, we cultivate humility, contentment, and self-control. Moreover, by refraining from saying anything that may lead to sin or alienate others, we promote a culture of kindness, respect, and unity within the Muslim community.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives and to be mindful of our speech and actions. May He guide us to have realistic expectations and to always strive for righteousness. Ameen.