Hadith #11432

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The beginning of sincerity is losing hope in that which people possess.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (ikhlas) "إخْلاصِ" in this Hadith refers to sincerity or purity of intention. It is the act of dedicating one's actions solely for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) without any ulterior motives. This word is derived from the root word (khalasa) "خَلَصَ", which means to purify or to make something free from impurities.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that the beginning or foundation of sincerity lies in (al-yas) "الْيَأسُ", which can be translated as losing hope or despair. This implies that true sincerity is achieved when one does not rely on or place their hope in the possessions, wealth, or favors of people. Instead, they place their complete trust and reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone.

This concept of not relying on worldly possessions or people is emphasized in the Quran as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:80),

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 reminds us to seek sustenance and support directly from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), rather than relying on the possessions or favors of others.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Furqan (25:58), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the sincere servants as those who do not invoke any deity alongside Him and who do not kill a soul unjustly. This verse emphasizes the importance of sincerity in worship and the avoidance of relying on anything or anyone other than Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that when we lose hope in what people possess, we detach ourselves from worldly attachments and expectations. This detachment allows us to focus solely on pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure in all our actions. It liberates us from the fear of people's opinions and judgments, enabling us to act with sincerity and integrity.

When we rely solely on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), our intentions become pure, and our actions are driven by a desire to please Him alone. This sincerity in our worship and deeds brings us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and strengthens our connection with Him. It also protects us from falling into the traps of hypocrisy and seeking validation from others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the foundation of sincerity lies in losing hope in the possessions and favors of people. By placing our complete trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and relying solely on Him, we attain true sincerity in our intentions and actions. This concept aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the importance of seeking sustenance and support directly from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and avoiding reliance on worldly possessions or people. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to cultivate sincere intentions and actions in all aspects of our lives.