Hadith #1068

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he advises Muslims to reduce their hopes and aspirations, for indeed life is short and transient. The word used in the Hadith for "reduce" is (qassir) "قَصِّرِ", which means to shorten or limit. It implies that we should not have excessive expectations or desires that are beyond the scope of our limited time in this world.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then advises us to perform good actions, as only a little of it is sufficient to gain immense rewards. The word used for "perform" in the Hadith is (af'al) "افْعَلِ", which means to do or carry out. It emphasizes the importance of taking practical steps and engaging in righteous deeds.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Asr (Chapter 103, Verse 1-3) that

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse highlights the importance of faith and good deeds, which aligns with the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18, Verse 46), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us,

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly possessions and the everlasting value of good deeds in the sight of Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to reduce our hopes and aspirations in this worldly life because it is short-lived and fleeting. Our ultimate goal should be to seek the pleasure of Allah and strive for the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. By limiting our desires and focusing on performing good actions, we can attain contentment and fulfillment in this life and the next.

The motivation behind this advice is to remind us of the transient nature of life. We often get caught up in the pursuit of worldly desires, thinking that they will bring us lasting happiness. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that life is short, and our time here is limited. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize our actions and invest in deeds that will bring us eternal rewards.

The consequence of following this advice is a life of balance and moderation. By reducing our hopes and aspirations, we free ourselves from the constant pursuit of material possessions and worldly success. This allows us to focus on what truly matters – our relationship with Allah and our actions towards others. By performing good deeds, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to the betterment of society and the well-being of our fellow human beings.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we realize the wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his profound understanding of the human condition. He reminds us to be mindful of the brevity of life and to prioritize our actions accordingly. By reducing our hopes and aspirations, we can find contentment and peace in the present moment, knowing that our ultimate success lies in the Hereafter. May Allah guide us to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the ability to perform good actions that are pleasing to Him.