Hadith #1123

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,

أيْنَ تَخْتَدِعُكُمْ كَواذِبُ الآمالِ؟!

which translates to

Where will the falsehoods of hopes mislead you to?!

This impactful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the dangers of being deceived by false hopes and aspirations.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (takhtadi'ukum) "تَخْتَدِعُكُمْ" means "mislead" or "deceive." It emphasizes the idea of being led astray or being lured into falsehood. The word (kawadhibu) "كَواذِبُ" refers to "falsehoods" or "lies." It signifies the deceptive nature of hopes that are not based on truth or reality. Lastly, the word (al-amal) "الآمالِ" means "hopes" or "aspirations." It encompasses the desires and expectations that individuals hold onto.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns 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 reminds us that false hopes and aspirations can lead us astray from the path of righteousness. When individuals become consumed by their desires and worldly pursuits, they often engage in unjust actions that harm themselves and others. The pursuit of temporary pleasures can blind us to the consequences of our actions and divert us from the true purpose of our existence.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

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 transient and deceptive. It is filled with temporary pleasures and distractions that can easily mislead us. The pursuit of wealth, status, and material possessions can create false hopes and aspirations that ultimately lead to disappointment and regret. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) cautions us against being deceived by these false hopes, as they can divert us from the path of truth and righteousness.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging us to be vigilant and discerning in our hopes and aspirations. He reminds us to align our desires with the teachings of Islam and the guidance of the Quran. True hope lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and striving for righteousness, rather than being swayed by the temporary and deceptive allurements of this world.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening saying serves as a timeless reminder for Muslims to be cautious and discerning in their hopes and aspirations. By anchoring our hopes in the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can protect ourselves from being misled by false hopes and stay on the path of righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to discern truth from falsehood and to seek His pleasure in all our endeavors.