Understanding the Concept of Hope and Its Types
In linguistic terms, hope refers to the expectation or belief in favorable outcomes, contrasting with despair. In a legal context, it denotes the anticipation of goodness and the expectation of its occurrence in the near future. According to Al-Qushayri’s message, it is the heart’s attachment to what it desires in terms of future events. Ibn Qayyim (may God have mercy on him) described it as reflecting on the vastness of God’s mercy. It can also be characterized as optimism, an expectation of goodness, generosity from God, and a heart that is at peace with what comes from Him. Furthermore, it signifies trusting in God’s bounty and anticipating joy and happiness.
For hope to be deemed valid, it must be accompanied by action. There are three categories of hope: two are commendable, while the third is blameworthy, as follows:
- Hope that arises from performing acts of obedience with the intent to draw closer to God and earn His rewards, which is commendable.
- Hope from someone who has committed a sin and then repented; this individual hopes for God’s forgiveness, which is also commendable.
- Hope from those who persist in wrongdoing without taking steps to seek forgiveness through repentance and prayers, yet still expect God to pardon them, which is blameworthy.
Factors that Enable the Fulfillment of Hope
Hope can be realized through various means, with the following being among the most significant.
Faith in God and Understanding His Names and Attributes
The realization of hope is rooted in faith in God Almighty and an understanding of His names and attributes, as well as His divine practices toward both obedient and disobedient creations. This is supported by the verse: “Indeed, those who have believed and those who have immigrated and fought in the cause of God – those are the ones who hope for the mercy of God; and God is Forgiving and Merciful.” A true believer solely hopes in Allah, the Exalted, due to their knowledge of His names and attributes, which, when understood, profoundly influence their lives. They perceive realities unseen by those ignorant of those divine names and attributes and their effects on the universe.
Migration in the Path of God
Physical migration necessitates an internal migration of the heart; otherwise, it lacks substance. The migration of the early Muslims involved moving from lands of disbelief to Medina to preserve their faith and beliefs. As long as the struggle for the faith continues, so too does the concept of migration. Internal migration involves a Muslim distancing themselves from surrounding societal customs and norms that conflict with their religious teachings, refusing to inhabit a space rife with absurdities and false beliefs. This leads them to migrate in their heart from servitude to anything other than God to the sole worship of God without partner. Consequently, their fear of Him, hope in Him, and reliance upon Him become central to their divine mission.
Striving in the Way of God
Striving (jihad) can be both outward and inward. Outward striving involves battling the enemies of God in defense of His religion. This complements the inward jihad, which is the struggle against one’s self for the sake of God, ensuring adherence to His commandments and abstaining from what He prohibits. This requires perseverance in following God’s law, enduring societal resistance, steering clear of doubts, and engaging in promoting good and forbidding evil in all its forms and levels. When provided with the opportunity to strive with wealth, life, and all available resources for the sake of God, one who has already engaged in the primary struggle—self-discipline—will embrace that chance wholeheartedly and sincerely.