Hadith #1089

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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, "آفَةُ الأمَلِ اَلأجَلُ۔" This can be translated into English as,

The bane of hope is death.

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

The word (afaatu) "آفَةُ" in this Hadith refers to a calamity or a destructive element. It signifies something that brings harm or ruin. In this context, it represents the negative consequences of excessive hope or attachment to worldly desires. The word (al-amal) "الأمَلِ" means hope, aspiration, or expectation. It reflects the human tendency to anticipate and desire certain outcomes or achievements. Lastly, (al-ajal) "اَلأجَلُ" refers to death, the appointed time when every soul shall depart from this world.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 28,

And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.

This verse highlights the transient nature of worldly possessions and relationships. They are merely a test from Allah, and our true reward lies with Him. Excessive hope in these temporary aspects of life can distract us from our ultimate purpose and lead to disappointment and despair.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse emphasizes the importance of focusing on everlasting good deeds rather than being consumed by material possessions and worldly attachments. It reminds us that true hope lies in the eternal rewards promised by Allah, which are far superior to any temporary gains in this life.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement,

The bane of hope is death,

serves as a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of prioritizing our spiritual journey. Excessive attachment to worldly desires and aspirations can lead to neglecting our duties towards Allah and the hereafter. It can blind us to the reality of death and the accountability that awaits us. Death, as mentioned in the Hadith, is a reminder that our time in this world is limited and that we must strive to make the most of it by focusing on our spiritual growth and preparing for the eternal life to come.

When we reflect on this Hadith, we realize that it encourages us to strike a balance between worldly aspirations and our ultimate purpose. It does not discourage us from having goals or ambitions, but rather cautions against becoming overly attached to them. We should strive for success in this life while keeping in mind that our true hope lies in the pleasure of Allah and the rewards of the hereafter.

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

The bane of hope is death,

reminds us to be mindful of our attachment to worldly desires and to prioritize our spiritual journey. It urges us to seek the pleasure of Allah and the eternal rewards that await us, rather than being consumed by temporary gains and aspirations. May Allah guide us to strike a balance in our lives and grant us the wisdom to prioritize our ultimate purpose.