Hadith #4286

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of placing our hope and trust solely in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that if we have hope in Allah, our hopes and aspirations will be fulfilled. However, if we place our hope in anything or anyone other than Allah, our hopes and aspirations will be in vain.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The word (rajawtum) "رَجَوْتُمْ" translates to "you have hope" or

you place your hope.

This word signifies the act of relying on something or someone for the fulfillment of our desires and aspirations. It is a call to reflect on where we place our trust and hope.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then mentions (Allah) "اللّهَ", which refers to the Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. It is important to note that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the only true source of power, mercy, and fulfillment. Placing our hope in Allah means recognizing His infinite capabilities and relying on Him alone for the realization of our hopes and aspirations.

The Hadith further highlights the consequences of placing our hope in other than Allah. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) uses the word (khabat) "خابَتْ", which means "to be frustrated" or "to be disappointed." When we place our hope in anything or anyone other than Allah, we are bound to be let down and disappointed. This is because all power and control ultimately belong to Allah alone, and relying on anything else is futile.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yunus (10:107), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He touches you with good - then He is over all things competent.

This verse reminds us that Allah is the ultimate source of both difficulties and blessings. Placing our hope in Him ensures that we seek His help and rely on His infinite power to overcome any adversity or achieve any good.

Another verse that reinforces the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Az-Zumar (39:53), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'

This verse reminds us that no matter how great our sins or shortcomings may be, we should never lose hope in the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. Placing our hope in Him allows us to seek His forgiveness and strive for a better future.

Reflecting on the enlightening words of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of placing our hope and trust solely in Allah. By doing so, we align ourselves with the ultimate source of power and mercy, ensuring that our hopes and aspirations are fulfilled. On the other hand, placing our hope in anything or anyone other than Allah will only lead to disappointment and frustration.

As Muslims, let us strive to strengthen our reliance on Allah and place our hope in Him alone. May we always turn to Him in times of need, seeking His guidance, mercy, and fulfillment of our hopes and aspirations. May Allah grant us the wisdom and understanding to internalize the wise message of this Hadith and live our lives in accordance with it.