Hadith #1066

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 righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to

Decrease your hopes and your actions will become sincere.

This thought-provoking saying holds deep wisdom and guidance for all Muslims. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its important words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us reflect on the word "hopes" in the Hadith. The Arabic word used is (amal) "آمال", which refers to our aspirations, desires, and expectations. It encompasses the hopes we have for this world and the hereafter. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to decrease these hopes, not to eliminate them entirely, but to moderate and prioritize them. By doing so, we can attain sincerity in our actions.

The word "sincere" in the Hadith is translated from the Arabic word (takhlus) "تَخْلُصْ". It implies purity, genuineness, and the absence of any hidden motives or ulterior intentions. When our hopes are decreased, our actions become untainted by selfish desires and worldly ambitions. We perform them solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), seeking His pleasure and reward.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Kahf (18:46),

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse reminds us that material possessions and worldly attachments are merely temporary adornments. The true value lies in sincere actions that are performed with the hope of attaining Allah's pleasure and eternal rewards.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:27), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) narrates the story of the sons of Adam (peace be upon him), where one of them killed the other out of envy. Afterward, the remorseful brother said,

My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all except, among them, Your sincere servants.

This verse highlights the importance of sincerity in our worship and actions. It is the quality that distinguishes the righteous from those who are led astray.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice to decrease our hopes serves as a reminder to prioritize our actions and intentions. When we have excessive expectations and desires, our actions may become tainted by greed, selfishness, and a focus on worldly gains. However, when we decrease our hopes and align them with the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), our actions become sincere and pure.

By decreasing our hopes, we detach ourselves from the materialistic pursuits of this world and focus on the ultimate goal of attaining Allah's pleasure and paradise. This shift in perspective allows us to perform our actions with sincerity, seeking only His approval and reward. We become more conscious of our intentions, ensuring that they are solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Moreover, decreasing our hopes helps us to overcome disappointment and despair when our worldly expectations are not met. We realize that our ultimate success lies in the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the eternal rewards of the hereafter. This understanding motivates us to persevere in our actions, even in the face of challenges and setbacks.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us a valuable lesson about decreasing our hopes to attain sincerity in our actions. By aligning our aspirations with the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and prioritizing the eternal rewards of the hereafter, we can purify our intentions and perform our actions with utmost sincerity. Let us strive to decrease our hopes and seek sincerity in all aspects of our lives, for it is through sincerity that we can attain true success and closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to implement this wisdom in our lives.