Hadith #1128

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Hope deceives and lifetime passes.

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

The word (amal) "أمَلُ" in Arabic refers to hope or expectation. It is a feeling of optimism and desire for something to happen. The word (yaghurr) "يَغُرُّ" is derived from the root word (gharra) "غَرَّ", which means to deceive or delude. Therefore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is cautioning us that hope can be deceptive and misleading.

To understand the wisdom behind this statement, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Yunus, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 10:65)

And let not their speech grieve you. Indeed, honor [due to power] belongs to Allah entirely. He is the Hearing, the Knowing

This verse reminds us that true honor and power belong to Allah alone, and we should not be deluded by the false hopes and aspirations of this worldly life.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 57:20)

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris

This verse highlights the transient nature of worldly life and the deceptive allure it holds. It serves as a reminder that the pursuit of material possessions and worldly desires can distract us from the ultimate purpose of our existence.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement encourages us to reflect on the fleeting nature of life and the potential pitfalls of placing excessive hope in worldly matters. It reminds us that our time in this world is limited and that we should not become consumed by the pursuit of temporary pleasures and desires. Instead, we should focus on the eternal and strive for the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

By recognizing the deceptive nature of hope and the passing of time, we are motivated to prioritize our actions and aspirations in accordance with the teachings of Islam. We are reminded to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to invest in actions that will benefit us in the Hereafter.

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) has significant consequences for our lives. It encourages us to be cautious and not to be swayed by false hopes and illusions. It reminds us to focus on the eternal and to strive for righteousness and piety. It serves as a reminder that our ultimate goal should be to attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to prepare for the everlasting life of the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Hope deceives and lifetime passes

reminds us of the transient nature of this world and the potential pitfalls of placing excessive hope in worldly matters. It encourages us to prioritize our actions and aspirations in accordance with the teachings of Islam, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and preparing for the eternal life of the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true nature of this world and guide us on the path of righteousness.