Hadith #1145

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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,

مَنْ جَرى في عِنانِ أمَلِهِ عَثِرَ بِأجَلَهِ۔

This can be translated as,

One who proceeds on the course of his hopes, stumbles upon his death.

This thought-provoking saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) carries deep wisdom and guidance for all Muslims.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. The word (jara) "جَرى" means to proceed or move forward. (inan) "عِنانِ" refers to the course or path that one takes. (amalihi) "أمَلِهِ" signifies one's hopes or aspirations. Finally, (athira) "عَثِرَ" means to stumble or fall.

To understand the essence of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 56,

Indeed, you (O Muhammad) do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse reminds us that it is Allah who guides us on the right path, not our own desires or hopes. If we solely rely on our own aspirations without seeking guidance from Allah, we may stumble and fall.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 24, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.

This verse emphasizes the importance of responding to the call of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) for true guidance and success in this life and the hereafter.

Now, let us reflect on the wise message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. It reminds us that if we blindly pursue our own desires and hopes without seeking guidance from Allah, we may stumble upon our own demise. This can be understood in various aspects of our lives.

For example, if we prioritize worldly ambitions and neglect our spiritual growth and connection with Allah, we may find ourselves spiritually empty and lost. Similarly, if we chase after material wealth and success without considering the ethical and moral consequences, we may stumble upon ruin and destruction.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening saying serves as a reminder for us to align our hopes and aspirations with the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). By seeking knowledge, understanding the teachings of the Quran, and following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt, we can ensure that our pursuits are in line with the divine will.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of seeking guidance from Allah in all aspects of our lives. It warns us against blindly following our own desires and hopes, as this can lead to our downfall. By aligning our aspirations with the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt, we can navigate through life with wisdom and attain true success in this world and the hereafter. May Allah grant us the ability to understand and implement this profound wisdom in our lives.