Hadith #1074

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "لِكُلِّ أمَل غُرورٌ۔" This can be translated into English as,

For every hope there is a delusion.

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

The word (amal) "أمَل" in Arabic refers to hope or expectation. It represents the anticipation and desire for something to happen in the future. Hope is a natural inclination of the human heart, as it gives us optimism and motivates us to strive for betterment. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that every hope is accompanied by a (ghuroor) "غُرور", which can be translated as delusion or deception.

To understand the depth of this statement, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yunus, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 10:48-49)

And they say, 'When is this promise, if you should be truthful?' Say, 'The knowledge is only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner.' But when they see it approaching, the faces of those who disbelieve will be distressed, and it will be said, 'This is that for which you used to call.'

This verse highlights the delusion of those who deny the truth and mock the believers. They question the fulfillment of the promise of Allah, demanding immediate proof. However, when the promised event occurs, their faces will reflect distress and regret. This serves as a reminder that their hopes and expectations were based on falsehood and deception.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of delusion is found in Surah Al-Anfal, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 8:49)

And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease said, 'Their religion has deluded those [Muslims].' But whoever relies upon Allah - then indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

This verse exposes the delusion of the hypocrites who claimed that the religion of the Muslims had deceived them. They failed to recognize the truth and relied on their own misguided expectations. However, those who truly rely upon Allah, with sincere faith and trust, will never be deceived by false hopes and expectations.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a profound reminder for Muslims. It teaches us to be cautious and discerning in our hopes and expectations. While hope is a positive attribute, it can become a source of delusion if it is not grounded in the truth and aligned with the teachings of Islam.

We often find ourselves hoping for worldly success, material possessions, or personal desires. However, if these hopes are not in accordance with the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), they can lead us astray. We may become deluded by false promises, chasing after temporary and fleeting pleasures that ultimately bring us no true fulfillment or contentment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to anchor our hopes in the eternal and everlasting rewards promised by Allah. Our ultimate hope should be in attaining His pleasure and the success of the Hereafter. This requires aligning our desires and expectations with the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

By doing so, we protect ourselves from falling into the trap of delusion and disappointment. We become aware of the transient nature of worldly hopes and focus on the eternal rewards promised by Allah. This realization allows us to navigate through life with wisdom, patience, and a steadfast commitment to the path of righteousness.

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

For every hope there is a delusion,

serves as a profound reminder for Muslims. It urges us to be discerning in our hopes and expectations, ensuring that they are aligned with the teachings of Islam. By anchoring our hopes in the eternal rewards promised by Allah, we protect ourselves from falling into the trap of delusion and disappointment. May Allah guide us to have sincere and righteous hopes, and may He grant us the wisdom to discern between truth and delusion.