Hadith #4299

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 noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

لاتَرْجُ ما تُعَنَّفُ بِرَجائِكَ۔

This can be translated as:

Do not hope in that which will cause you to receive rebuke for your hope.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and their implications. The word (tu'annafu) "تُعَنَّفُ" is derived from the root word (anafa) "عَنَفَ", which means to be blamed, reproached, or criticized. It refers to a situation where one's hope or expectation leads to disappointment and disapproval. The word (raja'ika) "رَجائِكَ" is derived from the root word (raja') "رَجَاء", which means hope or expectation.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to place our hopes in something that will ultimately lead to disappointment and criticism. This guidance is rooted in the teachings of the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us to place our hopes and trust in Him alone.

In Surah Yusuf (12:87), Allah 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 having hope in Allah's mercy and assistance, even in the most challenging of circumstances. It reminds us that true hope lies in relying on Allah's divine plan and seeking His help.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Anfal (8:10), where Allah says:

And Allah made it not but good tidings and so that your hearts would be assured thereby. And victory is not but from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

This verse highlights the fact that true success and victory come from Allah alone. Placing our hopes in anything other than Allah can lead to disappointment and regret.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, advises us to be cautious in our hopes and expectations. He reminds us that placing our hopes in worldly matters, such as wealth, status, or the approval of others, can lead to disappointment and criticism. Instead, he encourages us to focus our hopes on Allah, the ultimate source of all blessings and guidance.

By following this guidance, we can protect ourselves from the negative consequences of misplaced hopes. We can avoid the pain of disappointment and the disapproval of others. Moreover, by placing our hopes in Allah, we align ourselves with His divine plan and seek His pleasure above all else. This leads to a sense of inner peace and contentment, knowing that our hopes are rooted in the eternal and unchanging truth.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims. It urges us to be mindful of where we place our hopes and expectations. By placing our hopes in Allah and seeking His pleasure, we can avoid disappointment and criticism. Let us strive to align our hopes with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to do so.