Hadith #3529

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of placing our trust and hope solely in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), rather than relying on people. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises that if anyone desires that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grants their every request, they should lose hope in people and have faith only in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words and phrases used. The word (yas'al) "يَسْألَ" means to ask or request, while (a'tahu) "أعْطاهُ" means to grant or give. These words highlight the act of supplication and the power of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to fulfill our requests.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to lose hope in people and not rely on them. This does not mean that we should isolate ourselves from society or disregard the help and support of others. Rather, it reminds us that ultimately, it is Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) who controls the outcomes of our endeavors and grants our requests. Placing our trust in people alone can lead to disappointment and unfulfilled expectations, as humans are fallible and limited in their abilities.

To support this exegesis, let us turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Ghafir (40:60), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And your Lord says, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.' Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.

This verse emphasizes the importance of turning to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in supplication and seeking His help, as He promises to respond to our calls.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.

This verse reassures us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is always near and attentive to our prayers. He is the ultimate source of help and guidance, and it is through Him that our requests are fulfilled.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith serves as a reminder for us to place our complete trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His assistance in all matters. By doing so, we free ourselves from relying solely on the limited capabilities of people and recognize that true power lies with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. This mindset cultivates a deeper connection with our Creator and strengthens our faith in His ability to answer our prayers.

Moreover, this Hadith encourages us to have a realistic understanding of human limitations. While we should appreciate the support and assistance of others, we should not place our ultimate hope and trust in them. People may disappoint us or be unable to fulfill our needs, but Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is always capable of granting our requests. By turning to Him in times of need, we develop a stronger reliance on His mercy and power.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of placing our trust and hope solely in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By losing hope in people and relying solely on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we recognize His infinite power and mercy. This mindset allows us to strengthen our connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His assistance in all matters. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to place our trust in Him alone and grant us the ability to seek His help in all aspects of our lives.