Hadith #1072

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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, "كَفى بِالأمَلِ إغْتِراراً۔" which translates to

Hope is sufficient as a deception.

This profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the potential danger of excessive reliance on hope without taking practical steps to achieve one's goals.

To delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith, let us first analyze the key words used. The word (amal) "أمَلِ" refers to hope or expectation. It represents the optimistic outlook that individuals have towards the future. The word (ightiraran) "إغْتِراراً" means deception or delusion. It signifies the misleading nature of hope when it becomes a substitute for action and effort.

The Quran provides us with guidance on the importance of balancing hope and action. 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 emphasizes the need for relying on Allah's guidance and support while also exerting effort and taking practical steps towards our goals.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear...

This verse reminds us that while we should have hope in Allah's mercy and assistance, we must also recognize our responsibility to actively strive and work towards our aspirations.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement warns us against falling into the trap of relying solely on hope without taking practical steps. It serves as a reminder that hope alone, without action, can lead to complacency and inaction. It is essential for Muslims to understand that hope should not be an excuse for laziness or a justification for neglecting our duties and responsibilities.

For example, if a person hopes for success in their studies but does not put in the necessary effort to study and prepare, their hope becomes a deception. Similarly, if someone hopes for good health but neglects their physical well-being by not maintaining a healthy lifestyle, their hope becomes a deception.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement encourages Muslims to have a balanced approach to hope and action. We should maintain hope in Allah's mercy and blessings, but at the same time, we must actively work towards our goals, seeking His guidance and relying on His support.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that hope should not be a substitute for action. While hope is essential in maintaining a positive outlook, it must be accompanied by sincere efforts and practical steps towards achieving our aspirations. By striking a balance between hope and action, we can avoid the deception of relying solely on hope without taking the necessary steps to bring about positive change in our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the path of success and grant us the wisdom to understand the true meaning of hope.