Hadith #1081

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due 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 a cheater, deceiver, and harmer.

This enlightening Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the deceptive nature of hope and serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious and not solely rely on hope without taking appropriate actions.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. The word (amal) "أمل" translates to "hope" in English. It refers to the feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen or be fulfilled. The word (khadi'un) "خادِعٌ" means "cheater" or "deceiver," indicating that hope can sometimes lead us astray or deceive us into believing that our desires will be fulfilled without any effort on our part. The word (gharr) "غارٌّ" means "deceptive" or "illusory," emphasizing that hope can create false illusions and unrealistic expectations. Lastly, the word (darr) "ضارٌّ" means "harmer" or "harmful," signifying that excessive reliance on hope can be detrimental and prevent us from taking necessary actions to achieve our goals.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Yunus, verse 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 highlights the danger of relying solely on hope without taking appropriate actions. It warns us that if we become complacent and fail to fulfill our responsibilities, we may end up committing injustices and harming ourselves and others. Hope, when not accompanied by righteous actions, can lead to negligence and a false sense of security.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra, verse 80, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse teaches us the importance of seeking strength and guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our endeavors. It reminds us that relying solely on hope without seeking Allah's assistance and relying on His power can lead to instability and uncertainty. True hope lies in placing our trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His guidance and support.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to strike a balance between hope and action. While hope can provide motivation and optimism, it should not be the sole driving force behind our efforts. We must combine hope with sincere actions, seeking Allah's guidance, and relying on His power to achieve our goals.

For example, if a person hopes for success in their studies, they must not solely rely on hope but also put in the effort to study diligently, seek knowledge, and seek Allah's blessings. Similarly, if someone hopes for forgiveness and mercy from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), they must not only hope for it but also strive to repent sincerely, perform good deeds, and seek Allah's forgiveness.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that hope alone is not sufficient. It can be deceptive, illusory, and harmful if not accompanied by sincere actions and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). As Muslims, we should strive to strike a balance between hope and action, seeking Allah's guidance and relying on His power to achieve success in this life and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true nature of hope and guide us on the path of righteousness.