Hadith #1135

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ طالَ أمَلُهُ ساءَ عَمَلُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One whose hopes lengthen, his actions become worse.

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the negative consequences of having prolonged and unrealistic hopes.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze the key words. The word (taala) "طالَ" means to lengthen or extend, while (amaluhu) "أمَلُهُ" refers to one's hopes or aspirations. Finally, (saa) "ساءَ" means to become worse, and (amaluhu) "عَمَلُهُ" refers to one's actions or deeds.

This Hadith emphasizes the correlation between the lengthening of one's hopes and the deterioration of their actions. When a person's hopes become excessively prolonged, they may become complacent, lazy, or negligent in their actions. This can lead to a decline in their overall productivity, righteousness, and moral conduct.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the dangers of having unrealistic hopes and desires. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 83, Allah says,

That Day, [the excuse of] no one will benefit the wrongdoers, nor will they be asked to appease [Allah].

This verse reminds us that on the Day of Judgment, our hopes and excuses will be of no avail if our actions have been sinful or unjust.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Imran, verse 188, Allah says,

And never think that those who rejoice in what they have perpetrated and like to be praised for what they did not do - never think them [to be] in safety from the punishment, and for them is a painful punishment.

This verse cautions us against those who take pleasure in their wrongdoings and seek praise for actions they have not actually performed. It serves as a reminder that our actions must align with our hopes and aspirations.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be mindful of the consequences of unrealistic hopes. When we excessively prolong our hopes without taking the necessary actions to achieve them, we risk falling into a state of stagnation and moral decline.

For example, if a person hopes to excel in their studies but fails to put in the required effort and dedication, their academic performance is likely to suffer. Similarly, if someone hopes for success in their career but does not actively seek opportunities, improve their skills, or work diligently, they may find themselves stuck in a cycle of unfulfilled aspirations.

This Hadith also highlights the importance of aligning our hopes with the teachings of Islam. As Muslims, our ultimate hope should be to attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to strive for righteousness in all aspects of our lives. However, if we allow our hopes to be solely focused on worldly desires, without considering the moral and ethical implications of our actions, we risk deviating from the path of righteousness.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be mindful of the consequences of having prolonged and unrealistic hopes. It urges us to align our hopes with our actions, ensuring that we actively work towards achieving our aspirations while adhering to the teachings of Islam. By doing so, we can strive for success in this world and the Hereafter, and avoid the pitfalls of complacency and moral decline. May Allah guide us all to the straight path and grant us success in our endeavors.