Hadith #1146

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,

مَنّ أمَّلَ غَيْرَ اللّهِ سُبْحانَه أكذَبَ آمالَهُ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of placing our hopes and aspirations solely in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and not in anything or anyone else.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (man) "مَنّ" refers to "one who" or "whoever." (amalla) "أمَّلَ" means "to hope" or "to have expectations." (ghayra) "غَيْرَ" means "other than" or "besides." (Allah) "اللّهِ" is the name of the Almighty, the One and Only God. (subhanahu) "سُبْحَانَهُ" is an honorific used to praise Allah, meaning "glorified is He."

To comprehend the essence of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of placing our hopes and trust in Him alone. In Surah Yunus, Ayah 84, Allah says,

And Moses said, 'O my people, if you have believed in Allah, then rely upon Him, if you should be Muslims.'

This verse highlights the significance of relying solely on Allah, as true believers.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ankabut, Ayah 65, Allah states,

And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him.

This verse warns against associating partners with Allah after seeking His help. It serves as a reminder that our hopes and expectations should always be directed towards Allah alone.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with a profound insight into the consequences of placing our hopes in anything other than Allah. By doing so, we are essentially denying the truth of our hopes and aspirations. This denial stems from the fact that Allah is the ultimate source of all power, control, and fulfillment of our desires. Placing our hopes in anything else is a form of disbelief and a rejection of the reality of Allah's sovereignty.

When we place our hopes in worldly possessions, status, or other people, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. These things are transient and can never provide true fulfillment. On the other hand, when we place our hopes in Allah, we are acknowledging His infinite power and wisdom. We recognize that He alone has the ability to fulfill our desires and grant us what is best for us, both in this world and the Hereafter.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their intentions and aspirations. It encourages us to reflect upon the true source of our hopes and desires. By redirecting our hopes towards Allah, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his purified progeny.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to place our hopes and aspirations solely in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By doing so, we acknowledge His absolute power and wisdom, and we avoid the disappointment and falsehood that comes from placing our hopes in anything or anyone else. May Allah guide us to always seek His pleasure and place our trust in Him alone.