Hadith #6140

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

Freedom from the captivity of covetousness is [gained] by acquiring loss of hope [in people].

This beautiful saying highlights the importance of detaching ourselves from the desire for worldly possessions and the reliance on others for our happiness and contentment.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (freedom) "الخَلاصُ" refers to liberation or release from something that holds us captive. (captivity of covetousness) "أسْرِ الطَّمَعِ" refers to the state of being enslaved by our desires and greed for material possessions. (acquiring) "اكْتِسابِ" implies the process of gaining or attaining something. And finally, (loss of hope) "اليَأسِ" signifies a state of disappointment or despair.

To further comprehend the enlightening message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 96:

And you will surely find them the most greedy of people for life - [even] more than those who associate others with Allah. One of them wishes that he could be granted life a thousand years, but it would not remove him in the least from the [coming] punishment that he should be granted life. And Allah is Seeing of what they do.

This verse emphasizes the insatiable nature of human greed and desire for worldly possessions. It warns us against becoming captivated by the allure of material wealth and highlights the futility of seeking eternal life in this world. The pursuit of wealth and possessions can lead to a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction and disappointment.

Another relevant Quranic verse is found in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20:

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 - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse reminds us that the worldly life is temporary and fleeting. It is filled with distractions and illusions that can lead us astray from the path of righteousness. The pursuit of wealth and material possessions can blind us to the true purpose of our existence and divert our attention from the eternal life in the Hereafter.

Now, let us reflect on the wise message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The Imam is teaching us that true freedom from the captivity of covetousness can only be attained by acquiring loss of hope in people. This means that we should not rely on others for our happiness, contentment, or success. Instead, we should place our trust and hope in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone.

When we place our hopes and expectations in people, we often set ourselves up for disappointment. People are fallible and can let us down. However, when we shift our focus towards Allah and rely on Him alone, we free ourselves from the constant pursuit of worldly possessions and the disappointment that comes with it. We find solace in knowing that Allah is the ultimate provider and sustainer, and He alone can fulfill our needs and desires.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to detach ourselves from the materialistic mindset that dominates society. By acquiring loss of hope in people, we redirect our attention towards the eternal and everlasting rewards promised by Allah. We become content with what Allah has decreed for us and find peace in knowing that our ultimate success lies in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of freeing ourselves from the captivity of covetousness by acquiring loss of hope in people. It reminds us to place our trust and hope in Allah alone, rather than relying on others for our happiness and contentment. By doing so, we detach ourselves from the never-ending pursuit of worldly possessions and find true freedom and peace in the Hereafter. May Allah guide us all to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the strength to overcome the allure of materialism.