Hadith #11421

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states: "الْيَأْسُ عِتْقٌ مُجَدَّدٌ" which translates to

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

This thought-provoking saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) carries deep wisdom and offers valuable insights into the human experience.

Let us begin by examining the key words in this Hadith. The word (loss of hope) "الْيَأْسُ" refers to a state of despair or hopelessness. It is the feeling of giving up or losing faith in the possibility of a positive outcome. The word (liberty) "عِتْقٌ" refers to freedom or release from bondage. It signifies a state of liberation and independence. Finally, the word (renewed) "مُجَدَّدٌ" indicates that this liberty is not a one-time occurrence, but rather a continuous renewal.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Yusuf (12:87) that even in the darkest of times, we should never lose hope in His mercy and assistance. He says,

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 emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope in Allah's mercy, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. It reminds us that despair is a characteristic of those who reject faith, while believers find solace in the knowledge that Allah's help is always near.

Furthermore, the Quran teaches us in Surah Az-Zumar (39:53) that Allah's mercy encompasses all things. He says,

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 assures us that no matter how grave our sins may be, Allah's mercy is vast and all-encompassing. It encourages us to seek His forgiveness and never lose hope in His ability to grant us liberation from the burdens of our transgressions.

Now, let us delve deeper into the exegesis of Imam Ali's thought-provoking Hadith. When he says,

Loss of hope [in others] is a renewed liberty,

he is highlighting the transformative power of losing hope in fallible human beings and placing our trust solely in Allah.

Human beings are prone to disappoint and let us down, as they are imperfect and subject to their own limitations. Placing our hopes solely in others can lead to disappointment and despair when they inevitably fail us. However, when we redirect our hopes and aspirations towards Allah, we find a renewed sense of freedom and liberation.

By relying solely on Allah, we free ourselves from the limitations and shortcomings of human beings. We recognize that true liberation lies in putting our trust in the One who is perfect in His knowledge, wisdom, and power. This liberation is not a one-time event but a continuous renewal, as we constantly remind ourselves to turn to Allah in all matters of our lives.

Imam Ali's statement serves as a reminder that losing hope in others does not mean losing hope altogether. Rather, it is an opportunity to redirect our hopes towards the One who is infinitely capable of fulfilling them. It is a call to place our trust in Allah's divine plan and seek solace in His mercy and guidance.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that losing hope in fallible human beings and placing our trust solely in Allah is a source of renewed liberty. By redirecting our hopes towards the One who is perfect in His attributes, we free ourselves from the limitations and disappointments of this world. Let us remember the words of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive to maintain unwavering hope in Allah's mercy, for it is through this hope that we find true liberation and freedom. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to always place our trust in Him and seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.