Hadith #1417

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "الشُّحُّ يَكْسِبُ المَسَبَّةَ۔" This can be translated as "Avarice earns vilification."

Let us first examine the important words in this Hadith. "الشُّحُّ" refers to avarice or greed, which is the excessive desire for wealth or possessions. It is the opposite of contentment and generosity. "يَكْسِبُ" means to earn or acquire, and "المَسَبَّةَ" refers to vilification or disgrace.

To understand the essence of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against the negative consequences of greed and avarice in several verses.

In Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah says,

And We have certainly created man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.

This verse reminds us of the humble origin of mankind and the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah. It teaches us that everything we have is a result of Allah's creation and His divine providence. When we become consumed by greed and avarice, we forget our humble beginnings and fail to acknowledge the blessings bestowed upon us.

In Surah Al-Hashr (59:9), Allah says,

And [also for] those who were settled in the Home [i.e., Al-Madinah] and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the importance of selflessness and generosity. It praises the Ansar, the residents of Madinah who welcomed and supported the Muhajirun, the emigrants from Makkah. Despite their own hardships and limited resources, the Ansar preferred the needs of others over their own. This selflessness is a stark contrast to the avarice mentioned in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Greed and avarice not only lead to vilification in the eyes of others but also have severe consequences for the individual. When one becomes consumed by the desire for wealth and possessions, they lose sight of their purpose in life. They prioritize material gain over spiritual growth and neglect their duties towards Allah and their fellow Muslims.

Moreover, greed breeds discontentment and unhappiness. The more one accumulates, the more they desire, leading to an endless cycle of dissatisfaction. This insatiable thirst for wealth and possessions can never be quenched, and it ultimately leads to a state of spiritual bankruptcy.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound wisdom and knowledge, warns us about the consequences of avarice. By earning vilification, the greedy individual not only harms their own soul but also tarnishes their reputation in the eyes of others. They become known for their selfishness and lack of concern for the well-being of others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to guard against greed and avarice. It teaches us the importance of contentment, generosity, and selflessness. By prioritizing spiritual growth and fulfilling our responsibilities towards Allah and our fellow Muslims, we can avoid the disgrace and negative consequences associated with avarice. May Allah protect us from the pitfalls of greed and bless us with contentment and generosity.