Hadith #1050

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Hope is like a mirage, it deceives the one who sees it and disheartens the one who looks forward to it.

This amazing Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the transient nature of worldly hopes and desires. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word "hope" in this Hadith is translated from the Arabic word (amal) "أمل". It refers to the expectation or anticipation of something desired. The word "mirage" is translated from the Arabic word (saraab) "سَرَاب", which signifies an optical illusion, often seen in deserts, where water appears to be present but is actually nonexistent.

This Hadith draws our attention to the deceptive nature of worldly hopes and desires. Just as a mirage appears to be real and promising from a distance, only to disappoint upon closer inspection, worldly hopes can often lead us astray. They can create illusions of happiness, success, and fulfillment, but in reality, they are fleeting and can leave us disheartened.

The Quran provides us with several verses that shed light on the transient nature of worldly hopes and the importance of placing our ultimate hope in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Allah says in Surah Yunus (10:23),

But when He saves them, at once they commit injustice upon the earth without right. O mankind, your injustice is only against yourselves, [being merely] the enjoyment of worldly life. Then to Us is your return, and We will inform you of what you used to do.

This verse reminds us that worldly hopes and desires can lead us to commit injustices and transgressions. We become so consumed by our desires for worldly pleasures that we lose sight of our true purpose in life, which is to worship and seek the pleasure of Allah. The temporary nature of worldly hopes is further emphasized in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), where Allah says,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children...

These verses from the Quran serve as a reminder that our hopes and desires in this worldly life are fleeting and can often lead us astray. They can distract us from our ultimate goal of seeking the pleasure of Allah and attaining success in the Hereafter. Therefore, it is crucial for us as Muslims to place our ultimate hope and trust in Allah alone, as He is the only one who can fulfill our true and everlasting desires.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) amazing Hadith serves as a wake-up call for us to reflect on the nature of our hopes and desires. It urges us to be cautious and not be deceived by the allure of worldly pleasures. Instead, we should focus on cultivating a deep connection with Allah and seeking His pleasure in all aspects of our lives.

When we place our hope in Allah, we are not disappointed. Our hopes and desires become aligned with His will, and He grants us what is best for us in this world and the Hereafter. As Allah says in Surah At-Talaq (65:3),

And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the deceptive nature of worldly hopes and desires. It encourages us to place our ultimate hope and trust in Allah, as He is the only one who can fulfill our true and everlasting desires. By aligning our hopes with His will, we can find true contentment and success in this life and the Hereafter. May Allah guide us to place our hope in Him alone and protect us from being deceived by the mirage of worldly desires.