Hadith #1136

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنِ اغْتَرَّ بِالأمَلِ خَدَعَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is deceived by hope is misled by it.

Let us delve into the meaning of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (ightarra) "اغْتَرَّ" in this Hadith refers to being deceived or deluded by something. It implies that when a person becomes overly attached to hope, it can lead them astray from the right path. Hope, in itself, is not inherently negative. It is a natural emotion that drives us to strive for betterment and seek Allah's mercy. However, when hope becomes excessive and blinds us to reality, it can be detrimental to our spiritual growth.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yunus, verse 23, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

But when He gives them a good provision, they rejoice in it; and if a misfortune befalls them because of what their hands have put forth, then indeed, man is ungrateful.

This verse highlights the tendency of human beings to become overly attached to worldly blessings and pleasures, leading them to forget their ultimate purpose and neglect their spiritual obligations.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Munafiqun, verse 11, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And if they had believed in Allah and the Prophet and in what was revealed to him, they would not have taken them as allies, but many of them are defiantly disobedient.

This verse warns against placing one's hopes and trust in worldly alliances and material possessions, instead of relying solely on Allah and His guidance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to strike a balance between hope and reality. It cautions against becoming so engrossed in worldly desires and aspirations that we lose sight of our true purpose in life, which is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure.

When a person becomes deceived by hope, they may neglect their religious obligations, compromise their values, and prioritize worldly gains over spiritual growth. This can lead to a state of spiritual delusion and deviation from the path of righteousness.

For example, if someone becomes overly attached to the hope of wealth and material success, they may resort to unethical means to achieve their goals, such as engaging in fraud or exploitation. This not only harms their own soul but also causes harm to others and disrupts the balance and justice that Islam promotes.

Moreover, being deceived by hope can also lead to complacency and a lack of motivation to strive for self-improvement. If one becomes too reliant on hope alone, they may neglect the necessary efforts and actions required to attain success in this life and the hereafter. As Muslims, we are reminded in the Quran that success comes through a combination of sincere faith, righteous actions, and reliance on Allah's guidance.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith warns us against being deceived by hope and becoming overly attached to worldly desires. It reminds us to strike a balance between hope and reality, ensuring that our aspirations are aligned with the teachings of Islam and our ultimate goal of seeking Allah's pleasure. By maintaining a balanced perspective and relying on Allah's guidance, we can navigate through life's challenges with wisdom and integrity, avoiding the pitfalls of being misled by false hopes. May Allah guide us all on the straight path and protect us from being deceived by hope.