Hadith #11416

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings 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, "الْيَأْسُ عِتْقٌ۔" which translates to

Loss of hope [in others] is liberty.

This impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) carries deep meaning and provides valuable insight into the human experience.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. (al-ya's) "الْيَأْسُ" refers to the feeling of despair or hopelessness. It is the state of losing faith in the possibility of something positive happening. (itq) "عِتْقٌ" means liberty or freedom. It signifies the release from constraints or limitations.

To understand the wisdom behind this statement, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of hope and trust in His divine plan. In Surah Yusuf, Allah says, (Quran 12:87)

Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.

This verse highlights that losing hope is a characteristic of those who reject faith.

Furthermore, in Surah Az-Zumar, Allah assures the believers, (Quran 39:53)

Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'

This verse reminds us that no matter how grave our sins may be, we should never lose hope in the mercy and forgiveness of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement sheds light on the concept of liberty that arises from losing hope in others. When we place our hopes and expectations solely on human beings, we often experience disappointment and betrayal. However, when we let go of these expectations and rely solely on Allah, we free ourselves from the limitations and constraints imposed by others.

This does not mean that we should isolate ourselves from society or disregard the importance of human relationships. Rather, it emphasizes the need to place our ultimate trust in Allah and not become overly reliant on fallible individuals. By doing so, we liberate ourselves from the shackles of disappointment and allow ourselves to focus on our relationship with Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to place their trust in Allah alone. It encourages us to seek solace and strength in His divine guidance, rather than relying solely on the actions or intentions of others. By doing so, we attain a sense of freedom from the expectations and limitations that come with placing our hopes in fallible human beings.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that losing hope in others can be liberating when we place our ultimate trust in Allah. It reminds us to seek solace and strength in His divine plan, rather than becoming overly reliant on the actions or intentions of human beings. By doing so, we free ourselves from the constraints and limitations that come with placing our hopes in fallible individuals. May Allah grant us the wisdom to understand this profound teaching and the strength to implement it in our lives.