Hope is the feeling of positivity and the optimistic state of mind which gives an instinct to people those coming ways would be easier than what has been past. This is the feeling which gives multiple reasons for living to people. Nurturing hope will help you alleviate self-doubt, anxiety, fear, and stress. It does this because it reduces the uncertainty that you would typically feel while experiencing these emotions. Hope is faith in Allah and the hereafter. Allah says:
تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
“They arise from their beds and they supplicate their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend from what We have provided them.” (Surah As-Sajda 32:16)
Hope is an optimistic attitude of mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one’s life. No hope or lack of hope pushes a person in the well of negativity. It is not difficult to develop hope. A person needs to take very good care towards his mental health which is possible in a way that a person should need to nourish his mind with positive thoughts and good hopes. Always maintain a positive outlook on life no matter how grim or dire the situation. Allah says:
إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا ۖ وَكَانُوا لَنَا خَاشِعِينَ
“Verily, they would hasten to good deeds and supplicate to Us in hope and fear, and they were humbly submissive to Us.” (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:90)
Allah is the giver and gives so much to His people that they feel satisfied. If we understand then we will realize that here Allah is giving so many hopes in a very beautiful manner and Allah is trying to say to His people that never lose hope because He is with His people to satisfy them by fulfilling their needs. Hope instead triggers proactive action that helps to improve the situation. Allah Says:
الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا
“Wealth and children are the only adornments of the worldly life, but enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for one’s hope.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46)
Allah makes people recall with His blessings. Everyone in this world can relate to the fact that they feel needy in some situations and then they communicate with Allah for easiness in their life. Allah indeed blesses them with what they have asked for and then such people get satisfied with their needs. Self-reflection can either help you feel more hopeful or more hopeless, it just depends on how you choose to focus on things.
By building hope and our belief, we can begin to transform the world for the better:
- Hope is a predictable cycle of behaviour that seals their fate
- Hope approaches everything with a sense of curiosity
- Hope is a big dreamer that imagines a better world
- Hope is a positive expectation of a better future
- Hope to turn our dreams into concrete goals
- Hope to cultivate a way of positive thinking
- Hope spend time visualizing a better future
- Hope can be switched on in times of need
- Hope do their best to make the situation
- Hope to grow our way through life
- Hope is a part of our lifestyle
- Hope often gives way to despair
- Hope to ensure that things get better
- Hope tends to live in the present moment
- Hope seeking out more of what they want
- Hope consistently seeks out opportunities
- Hope is nurtured through proactive action
- Hope to inspire towards their desired goals
- Hope reflecting on the positive in your favour
- Hope to make things will turn out in their favour
Hope is a positive expectation that we have about a future outcome. Hard times never means that it will stay forever but Allah will change this hard time with good time soon just the way He has always done. Allah teaches us that the greatest hope one can have is to hope in Allah. Hope that one will meet Allah and that’s the greatest success that any one of us can achieve. Allah Says:
إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ
Only those who fear Allah among His servants are those with knowledge. Verily, Allah is Almighty and Forgiving.” (Surah Al-Fatir 35:28)
Hope is a passive form of hope that does nothing but make you temporarily feel better about yourself and your predicament. We keep moving forward with optimism because hope allows us to envisage a better future or a good outcome. The foundation of Success in both Dunya and Akhira is to have certain beliefs and expectancies. Allah says:
فَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَارْجُوا الْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ
“O my people, worship Allah and hope for the Last Day and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.” (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:36)
Allah commands us to never lose hope in His mercy and forgiveness. Losing hope in Allah’s mercy is likened to disbelieving in Allah. The true foundation of hope is the good that we do in this life. True success comes to those who believe. Waking up to pray to Allah when we are tired is a sure sign of our hope in Allah’s reward. The believer calls on Allah in fear and hope: fear of His displeasure, and hope in His mercy and approval of us.
How to Nurture More Hope in Your Life:
- Engage in acts of kindness: Being kind to another person is a wonderful thing to do. A selfless act can make someone’s day and sometimes it can even change their life.
- Step out of your comfort zone: By taking risks and being brave, you can also generate hope. It can generate confidence in yourself and your ideals.
- Stay in the present: Feelings of hopelessness are necessarily focused on the future.
- Create new ways of thinking: A lot of the time, negative feelings, such as hopelessness, are brought about by harmful ways of thinking.
- Limit your news and social media intake: Many studies have found a strong link between heavy social media usage and an increased risk of depression, anxiety and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
- Have Trust in Yourself: It requires that you completely trust yourself and your ability to get through any and every situation you face.
- Talking to other people: Hopelessness can germinate if our negative thoughts only stay within the confines of our own minds. Talking to someone – whether it be a friend or a professional therapist – can give you the perspective you need to feel better.
Hope is that element in our lives, that we need, that energizes us, that propels us forward so that we can achieve great things. In Islam, we find that the Quran teaches us that Hope is the source of light for those who yearn to have the best in all things. The great thing is that Allah shows us how to create hope for lasting bliss both in this worldly life and eternal hereafter.
The Power of Hope Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
- “…So be not of the despairing.” (Quran 15:55)
- “…After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.” (Quran 65:7)
- “…After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.” (Quran 65:7)
- “And did He not find you needy then satisfied your needs?” (Quran 93: 8)
- “And the next life is certainly far better for you than this one.” (Quran 93:4)
- “God is with you and will never deprive you of your (good) deeds.” (Quran 47:35)
- “And ˹surely˺ your Lord will give so much to you that you will be pleased.” (Quran 93: 5)
- “Do not lose heart nor fall into despair! You shall triumph if you are believers.” (Quran 3:139)
The life of this world is filled with tests, trials, and tribulations but these must be faced with patience and hope. Hope that God will guide you to the best outcome. Our burdens today are no greater than burdens in the past, and the cure is still the same. Turn to God, beg His forgiveness and hope for relief. Hope will guide you through the darkness. Allah says:
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
‘Certainly, is for you in (the) Messenger (of) Allah an excellent example for (one) who has hope (in) Allah and the Day the Last, and remembers Allah much.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)
Allah promises us that after every difficulty is a relief. We must never lose hope that our situation will improve. Remember that worry and regret often lead to a cycle of hopeless thoughts. On the other hand, gratitude and appreciation will always help you nurture more hope in your life. You will naturally begin feeling more hopeful when you feel more confident in yourself and in your ability to overcome the problems and challenges you face.