Hawzah News Agency | Imam Ali, peace be upon him, states in Nahj al-Balaghah regarding the importance of ambition and effort:
«قَدْرُ الرَّجُلِ عَلَی قَدْرِ هِمَّتِهِ.»
"The worth of every person is equal to their ambition." (Wisdom no. 47)
Explanation:
Loftiness of ambition is one of the noble traits identified as a standard for evaluating individuals.
Some people have a limited view of the matters around them. They confine their efforts to their apparent possessions and resources, unable to go beyond them. However, individuals with great ambition look beyond limitations and the challenges ahead. They are never content with minor achievements, and this very trait elevates their stature in the eyes of others.
Martyr Abdullah Meithami, one of the Iranian martyrs, describes human capacity and ambition as follows:
"Our capacity is not limited to the resources in our hands; our capacity is as vast as our connection to God."
However, as everything has its pitfalls, the pitfall of lofty ambition is laziness and succumbing to desires and whims. This flaw ultimately leads to a person's disgrace, as Imam Ali, peace be upon him, also states:
«مَا رَفَعَ امْرَءً کَهِمَّتِهِ وَ لاَ وَضَعَ کَشَهْوَتِهِ.»
"Nothing elevates a person as much as ambition, and nothing disgraces them as much as desires." (Ghurar al-Hikam, v. 1, p. 711)
A crucial point to consider in the discussion of lofty ambition is that one should not squander their ambition on trivial matters. In fact, at times, lofty ambition can itself become a form of heedlessness.
«کَفَی بِالْمَرْءِ غَفْلَةً أَنْ یَصْرِفَ هِمَّتَهُ فِیمَا لَا یَعْنِیه.»
"It suffices as heedlessness for a person to spend their ambition on what does not benefit them." (Ghurar al-Hikam, v. 1, p. 522)
Thus, one must not only possess ambition but also know where to direct it. And undoubtedly, the best path is the path toward closeness to God.
For this reason, Imam Ali, peace be upon him, advised:
«اِجْعَلْ هَمَّکَ وَ جِدَّکَ لِآخِرَتِکَ.»
"Direct your ambition and effort toward your afterlife." (Ghurar al-Hikam, v. 1, p. 133)
Furthermore, among God's intimate conversations with Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, was the following:
«کَیْفَ لاَ یَکُونُ هَمُّکَ فِیمَا عِنْدِی وَ إِلَیَّ تَرْجِعُ لاَ مَحَالَةَ.»
"How can your ambition not be focused on what is with Me, while you will inevitably return to Me?" (Kafi, v. 8, p. 42)
Therefore, any effort or ambition directed toward anything other than God will ultimately result in nothing but loss and regret.
One must both avoid laziness and succumbing to whims and also ensure that their ambition, capacity, and efforts are directed toward the right course. And indeed, the best and most rewarding course is the path toward divine closeness.
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