10 Feb 2026

       Human beings need hope as much as they need air and water. It is the fundamental survival instinct—the bridge that carries an individual from life’s darkest moments toward the shores of freedom. Its antithesis is despair, which often takes root under the crushing weight of relentless trials and hardships. Indeed, hope breathes life into life; it allows people to truly sense their own existence and capabilities. It empowers us to witness the dawn breaking through the darkest nights. Hope in Allah encompasses vast dimensions, as a Muslim places profound faith and trust in the ultimate power—Allah, the Almighty. Thus, hope derives its very existence from faith; without faith, hope cannot endure, for it is faith that binds the servant to his Creator. Hope in Allah is the belief that circumstances will change—that safety will replace fear, tranquility will prevail, the heart will be at ease, and we will once again taste the sweetness of life.

 

hope, born of faith

      A servant’s faith cannot be sound without hope, for hope is one of the manifestations of having a good opinion of Allah. The one who holds onto hope knows that he has a Lord—the Creator and the All-Powerful—who hears and sees; nothing, great or small, escapes His knowledge. Allah has decreed that His way on this earth is one of trial and testing. Thus, servants are in need of sustenance that strengthens faith and helps them overcome these hardships. Here, hope becomes their nourishment and source of strength, enabling them to accept adversity—knowing with certainty that Allah is the One who commands and forbids, and that all things proceed according to His perfect decree. Our Prophet (ﷺ) was optimistic in all matters, placing his trust in his Lord at all times, and maintaining a good opinion of Him in every circumstance. Despite the hardships and trials he faced, his life remained a model of hope and faith. Khabbab b. al-Aratt said:

”We made a complaint to the Prophet when he was using a striped cloak as a cushion in the shade of the Ka’ba, for we had experienced persecution from the polytheists, asking him if he would not make supplication to God. His face became red, and he sat and said, “Before your time, a man would have a pit dug for him in the earth and be put in it, then a saw would be brought and placed above his head, which would be split in two, but that would not turn him away from his religion. He would be combed with iron combs below his flesh in bone and sinew, but that would not turn him away from his religion. I swear by Allah that this matter will reach perfection, so that a rider will go from San’a’ to Hadramaut fearing nothing but God, or a wolf which may attack his sheep; but you are in a hurry.” If anyone lacks faith and hope in Allah, they might reject these glad tidings and promises of the Prophet Muhammad. But what made the hearts of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) accept his assurances is hope in Allah—the belief that one day Allah would grant this religion the greatest victories.
      Within the story of Sayyiduna Yaqub, there are great lessons in hope and faith in Allah. Sayyiduna Yaqub never gave in to despair over being reunited with his son Yusuf. Even when he lost another son, he grieved deeply, so much so that he lost his sight. Yet, he encouraged his remaining sons and reminded them to trust in Allah’s plan, maintaining hope despite the trials he faced;
”O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother, and despair not of relief from Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.”
(يَا بَنِيَّ اذْهَبُوا فَتَحَسَّسُوا مِن يُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَا يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ).
[Surah Yusif:87].
The outcome of his patience and hope was that his distress was lifted, his sight was restored, and Yusuf and his brother were returned to him. 

The Virtue of Hope

Hope is a gift from Allah that strengthens the heart, lifts the spirit, and guides the believer through trials. It keeps the soul connected to faith, replaces despair with trust, and allows one to see light even in the darkest moments. Through hope, the believer finds patience, courage, and the certainty that Allah’s plan is always perfect. It was that there is a subtle secret in hope; for without hope, no one would enjoy life, nor would the soul find delight in engaging in any of the affairs of this world. Allah opens the gates of hope and instills trust in His forgiveness for those who sincerely repent. Abu Musa reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said ”Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, stretches out His Hand during the night so that the people may repent for the fault committed from dawn till dusk, and He stretches out His Hand during the day so that the people may repent for the fault committed from dusk to dawn. (He would accept repentance) before the sun rises in the west (before the Day of Resurrection).” Also, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) closely linked hope with action, for hope without effort is a form of negligence. He advised us to ”Tie your camel and have faith in Allah,” emphasizing that one must combine trust in Allah with personal responsibility.

  In conclusion, hope is the light that guides the believer through life’s trials. It strengthens faith, uplifts the spirit, and inspires patience and perseverance. With hope, the heart remains connected to Allah, despair is replaced by trust, and every hardship becomes an opportunity for growth and closeness to the Creator. Truly, hope is not just a feeling—it is the soul’s anchor in the journey of life.

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