Hadith #1046

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,

كَمْ مِنْ آمِل خائِب وغائِب غَيْرِ آئِب۔

This can be translated into English as,

Many [of those] who hope get disappointed, and many a traveler fails to return.

Let us delve into the profound wisdom contained within this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran. The key words in this Hadith are (hope) "آمِل", (disappointed) "خائِب", (traveler) "غائِب", and (return) "آئِب".

The word "آمِل" refers to someone who has hope or expectation. It signifies the anticipation of a positive outcome or the fulfillment of a desire. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that many times, these hopes are shattered, and individuals are left disappointed and disheartened. This serves as a reminder to Muslims that while hope is a natural and necessary aspect of human life, it is not always guaranteed to be fulfilled.

To further understand the message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yusuf (12:68), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And when they entered from where their father had ordered them, it did not avail them against Allah at all except [it was] a need within the soul of Jacob, which he satisfied. And indeed, he was a possessor of knowledge because of what We had taught him, but most of the people do not know.

In this verse, Prophet Jacob (peace be upon him) had instructed his sons to enter Egypt from different gates. However, despite their efforts, their plan did not avail them against the divine decree of Allah. This serves as a reminder that even the most well-thought-out plans and hopes can be rendered futile in the face of Allah's will.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Kahf (18:54), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And certainly, We have explained in this Qur'an every kind of example, but the majority of mankind do not accept anything except disbelief.

This verse highlights the reality that despite the clarity and guidance provided in the Quran, many people choose to reject it. Their hopes and expectations may be misguided or based on false beliefs, leading to disappointment and a departure from the path of truth.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to place their ultimate hope and trust in Allah alone. While it is natural to have hopes and aspirations in this world, we must always remember that our ultimate goal is the pleasure of Allah and the attainment of success in the Hereafter.

This Hadith also highlights the transient nature of this worldly life. Just as a traveler embarks on a journey with the hope of returning, we too are travelers in this world. However, not all travelers are able to return to their starting point. Similarly, not all individuals who have hopes and dreams are able to see them fulfilled.

This serves as a reminder that our time in this world is limited, and we must strive to make the most of it by focusing on what truly matters - our relationship with Allah and our preparation for the eternal life to come. We should not become overly attached to our worldly hopes and desires, as they may lead to disappointment and distract us from our ultimate purpose.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the transient nature of this world and the importance of placing our ultimate hope and trust in Allah. It serves as a reminder to Muslims that while hopes and aspirations are a natural part of human life, they are not always guaranteed to be fulfilled. We must strive to align our hopes and desires with the guidance of the Quran and focus on what truly matters in the sight of Allah. May Allah grant us the wisdom to understand and apply the teachings of this Hadith in our lives.