Hadith #7169

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The intelligent person strives in his work and shortens his hopes.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening saying in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. The word (intelligent person) "عاقِلُ" refers to someone who possesses wisdom, understanding, and the ability to make sound judgments. This person is not only knowledgeable but also applies their knowledge in practical ways. The word (strives) "يَجْتَهِدُ" signifies putting in effort, exerting oneself, and working diligently towards a goal. And finally, the word (hopes) "أمَلِهِ" refers to one's aspirations, desires, and expectations.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. 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 highlights the importance of striving and putting in effort in our endeavors. It emphasizes the need for a strong and determined approach in both our work and our hopes.

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 Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has given us the capacity to strive and work hard. It encourages us to utilize our intelligence and abilities to the fullest extent, without overwhelming ourselves with unrealistic expectations and hopes.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us a valuable lesson about the balance between effort and expectations. The intelligent person understands that success is not solely determined by the outcome, but rather by the effort put into the work itself. They recognize that striving diligently is within their control, while the outcome is ultimately in the hands of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

By shortening their hopes, the intelligent person avoids becoming disheartened or discouraged when faced with challenges or setbacks. They understand that life is filled with uncertainties and that not everything will go according to plan. Instead of fixating on unrealistic expectations, they focus on the present moment and give their best effort, knowing that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) will reward them accordingly.

This Hadith encourages us to adopt a proactive and realistic approach in our lives. It reminds us to strive for excellence in our work, utilizing our intelligence and abilities to the best of our capacity. At the same time, it urges us to maintain a balanced perspective, recognizing that our hopes should be grounded in reality and that we should not become overly attached to specific outcomes.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of striving diligently in our work while maintaining realistic expectations. It reminds us to focus on the present moment and give our best effort, leaving the outcome to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By embodying the qualities of an intelligent person, we can achieve success in both this world and the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and understanding to implement these teachings in our lives.