Hadith #1076

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 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, "الأمل يُنْسِى الأجَلَ" which translates to

Hope causes death to be forgotten.

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the powerful impact of hope on the human psyche and its ability to divert our attention from the certainty of death.

To delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words used. The word (amal) "أمل" refers to hope, aspiration, or expectation. It represents the optimistic outlook that individuals possess, which fuels their desires and ambitions. The word (yunsī) "يُنْسِى" means to forget or to cause something to be forgotten. And finally, (al-ajal) "الأجَلَ" refers to death, the appointed time when every soul will depart from this world.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:99-100),

Until, when death comes to one of them, he says, 'My Lord, send me back that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.' No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.

These verses highlight the human inclination to desire more time when faced with the reality of death. It is a natural response to wish for an opportunity to rectify our wrongdoings and fulfill our unfulfilled aspirations. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that excessive hope can lead us to forget the certainty of death and the urgency to prepare for the Hereafter.

Hope, when balanced and directed towards righteous actions, is indeed a positive attribute. It motivates us to strive for success in this world and the next. However, when hope becomes an obsession, it can blind us to the transient nature of life and divert our focus from the ultimate purpose of our existence.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:64),

And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.

This verse reminds us that the worldly life, with all its attractions and distractions, is merely a temporary abode. It is a place of trials and tests, designed to determine our ultimate destination in the Hereafter. Therefore, excessive attachment to worldly hopes and desires can lead us astray from the path of righteousness and the remembrance of death.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to strike a balance between hope and remembrance of death. While it is natural to have aspirations and dreams, we must not allow them to consume us to the point where we forget the inevitability of death. Instead, we should use the awareness of death as a motivation to prioritize our actions and strive for righteousness.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can draw inspiration from the life of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself. Known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was fully aware of the transient nature of this world. His unwavering faith and detachment from worldly desires allowed him to focus on the eternal rewards of the Hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) lived a life of exemplary piety, justice, and selflessness. His actions were guided by the remembrance of death and the hope for eternal bliss in the Hereafter. By emulating his qualities and internalizing the message of this Hadith, Muslims can strive to strike a balance between hope and the remembrance of death, ensuring that our aspirations are aligned with the teachings of Islam and the pursuit of the Hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to balance our hopes and aspirations with the remembrance of death. May He guide us to lead righteous lives and prepare for the eternal abode of the Hereafter. Ameen.