The session draws heavily on Ibn al-Qayyim, quoted twice once on the necessity of hope for anyone journeying towards Allah, and again on the link between hope and knowledge of Allah’s Names and Attributes. The distinction between rajāʾ and al-tamannī (using Allah’s mercy as permission to continue in sin) is central to the session. Qur’an 18:110 is the basis for what Ibn al-Qayyim calls “the essence of īmān,” and the story of Yaʿqūb عليه السلام connects hope with faith under hardship. The session also addresses how hope and fear sit alongside each other across different stages of life, drawing on the well-known statement of ʿUmar رضي الله عنه, and closes with a duʿa from Abū Dāwūd asking Allah not to entrust the servant to himself for even the blink of an eye.

This session covers:

• The definition and necessity of rajāʾ: Hope in Allah is defined as full awareness of His mercy combined with confidence in His generosity. Ibn al-Qayyim is quoted on why a believer cannot afford to lose hope at any point on their journey between sins, shortcomings, deeds, and the desire for closeness to Allah.
• Real hope vs deluded hope: Learners distinguish between rajāʾ, which is paired with action, and al-tamannī, which uses Allah’s mercy as a reason to continue in sin. Learners are asked to consider what they recognise in themselves.
• Ḥusn al-Ẓann Billāh: The Hadith in Bukhārī “I am as My servant thinks of Me” is introduced alongside a comparison of two learners, one who lacks hope and one who holds it, to prompt reflection on how hope shapes everyday life.
• Balancing hope and fear: The session examines when each quality is more needed, across good times, hardship, and different stages of life. The statement of ʿUmar رضي الله عنه on being the one person in either scenario is quoted in full.
• Increasing hope through knowledge of Allah: Five areas for reflection are offered blessings, rewards, Allah’s love and kindness, His Names, and the Qur’an supported by Qur’an 18:110 and a duʿa from Abū Dāwūd.

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Zakariyya عليه السلام also looked after Maryam عليها السلام, a young girl from his relatives, whose mother had promised Allah she would live in the Masjid to worship Him. One day, he found fresh fruit with her, fruit that didn’t grow in that season. He asked where it came from. She replied: “They’re from Allah.” Something shifted in him. If Allah gives fruit out of season, He can also give me a child in my old age. His hair was white. His wife was old. But he made duʿa anyway: “O my Lord, bless me with a righteous child from You. You hear all duʿas.” While he was still praying, angels called out: “Allah gives you good news of Yahya!” Yahya عليه السلام grew up kind, wise, and deeply respectful of his parents. Together, father and son raced each other to do good deeds. The lesson ends with a line worth sitting with: good things take time, keep asking Allah and never lose hope.

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