Hadith #11422

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "الْيَأْسُ عِتْقٌ مُرِيحٌ". This can be translated as,

Loss of hope [in others] is a comforting liberty.

Let us delve into the connotation of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (al-ya's) "الْيَأْسُ" refers to the loss of hope or despair. It is a state of feeling discouraged, disheartened, or hopeless. The word (itq) "عِتْقٌ" means freedom or liberty, while (murīḥ) "مُرِيحٌ" means comforting or soothing. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting the liberating aspect of losing hope in others, suggesting that it can bring comfort and peace to one's heart.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yusuf (12:87), we find a similar sentiment expressed by Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) when he was imprisoned unjustly. He said,

O my prison mates! Are separate lords better, or Allah, the One, the Supreme?

Here, Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding his fellow prisoners that putting their hope in anyone other than Allah is futile. It is a call to redirect their hope and trust towards the Almighty, who has ultimate control over all affairs.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:4), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises the believers,

There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, 'Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone.'

This verse highlights the importance of disassociating oneself from those who associate partners with Allah and putting one's trust solely in Him.

The exegesis of this Hadith emphasizes the significance of relying on Allah alone and not placing excessive hope in others. It does not imply that we should completely abandon trust in people, but rather it encourages us to recognize that ultimate reliance should be on Allah. Placing excessive hope in fallible human beings can lead to disappointment and heartache. However, when we place our trust in Allah, we find solace and freedom from the burdens of relying solely on others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that losing hope in others can be liberating. This does not mean we should become cynical or pessimistic, but rather it encourages us to have realistic expectations and to place our ultimate trust in Allah. By doing so, we free ourselves from the shackles of dependency on others and find comfort in knowing that Allah is the ultimate source of support and guidance.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strike a balance between placing trust in others and relying on Allah. It teaches us to be cautious of excessive expectations from fallible human beings and to direct our hopes and aspirations towards the One who is perfect and all-powerful. By doing so, we attain a sense of tranquility and freedom from the disappointments that may arise from relying solely on others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Loss of hope [in others] is a comforting liberty

highlights the importance of placing our ultimate trust in Allah. It encourages us to have realistic expectations from others while recognizing that true solace and liberation can only be found in relying on the Almighty. May Allah guide us to always place our hope and trust in Him, and may He grant us the wisdom to navigate our relationships with others in a balanced and healthy manner.