Hadith #8328

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

تَوَقُّعُ الفَرَجِ إحْدىَ الراحَتَيْنِ۔

which translates to

Expecting relief is one of the two comforts.

This Hadith highlights the significance of having hope and anticipation for relief during times of difficulty and hardship.

Let us delve deeper into the words used in this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The word (tawaqqu') "تَوَقُّعُ" means to expect or anticipate, while (al-faraj) "الفَرَجِ" refers to relief or deliverance. The word (ihda) "إحْدىَ" means one of, and (ar-rahatain) "الراحَتَيْنِ" refers to the two comforts or consolations.

To comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Inshirah (94:5-6),

Verily, with hardship, there is relief. Verily, with hardship, there is relief.

These verses emphasize that relief and comfort are inevitably intertwined with hardship. Just as night follows day, relief follows hardship. This Quranic verse beautifully complements the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), reinforcing the importance of expecting relief during challenging times.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.

This verse assures us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) never places a burden on us that is beyond our capacity to endure. It reminds us that even in the face of adversity, we have the strength and resilience to overcome our challenges. This Quranic verse aligns with the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), as it encourages us to have hope and trust in Allah's mercy and relief.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us a valuable lesson about the power of positive thinking and the importance of maintaining hope during difficult times. When we expect relief, we are acknowledging that our struggles are temporary and that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) will eventually grant us ease. This expectation of relief provides solace and comfort to our hearts, enabling us to persevere through hardships with patience and determination.

By expecting relief, we are also reminded of the countless examples of relief and deliverance mentioned in the Quran. For instance, the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound example of how patience and trust in Allah's plan can lead to ultimate relief and success. Despite enduring years of hardship and betrayal, Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) never lost hope and eventually witnessed the fulfillment of Allah's promise.

Similarly, the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the Israelites escaping from the tyranny of Pharaoh is another testament to the concept of relief after hardship. Despite facing immense oppression and persecution, the Israelites were eventually granted freedom and deliverance by the mercy of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of expecting relief during times of difficulty. By maintaining hope and trust in Allah's mercy, we can find solace and comfort in the knowledge that relief is imminent. This expectation of relief is not only a source of motivation and strength, but it also aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasize the concept of relief following hardship. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to remain steadfast in times of trial and bless us with the comfort and relief we seek.