Hadith #6129

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The trouble for religion is covetousness and its rectitude is [in] piety.

This Hadith emphasizes the negative impact of covetousness on religion and highlights the importance of piety in rectifying it.

Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. "Nakad" refers to trouble, difficulty, or harm. "Deen" refers to religion, encompassing the beliefs, practices, and values that guide a person's life. "Tamah" means covetousness or greed, which is an insatiable desire for worldly possessions and wealth. "Salah" refers to rectitude, righteousness, or correctness. And "warah" signifies piety, which is the state of being conscious of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and striving to fulfill His commands and avoid His prohibitions.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the detrimental effects of covetousness in several verses. In Surah Al-Imran, Allah says, (Quran 3:186)

You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allah much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allah - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of determination.

This verse highlights the trials and tribulations that come with worldly possessions and the negative influence of those who are consumed by greed. Covetousness can lead to corruption, injustice, and a neglect of one's religious obligations. It distracts individuals from seeking the pleasure of Allah and instead focuses their attention on accumulating material wealth.

On the other hand, the Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of piety and righteousness. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 2:177)

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse highlights that true righteousness lies in one's faith in Allah and their actions that reflect that faith. It emphasizes the importance of giving wealth, even when one has an attachment to it, to those in need. It also emphasizes the establishment of prayer, giving zakah, fulfilling promises, and being patient in times of difficulty. These acts of piety are essential for rectifying the harm caused by covetousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that covetousness poses a significant threat to our religion. When we become consumed by greed and materialistic desires, our focus shifts away from the worship of Allah and the pursuit of righteousness. This can lead to neglecting our religious obligations, engaging in unethical behavior, and prioritizing worldly gains over spiritual growth.

However, the Hadith also provides us with a solution. It tells us that the rectitude of religion lies in piety. By cultivating a sense of God-consciousness and striving to fulfill our religious duties, we can counteract the negative effects of covetousness. Piety encourages us to be content with what Allah has blessed us with, to be generous towards others, and to prioritize our spiritual well-being over worldly possessions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the dangers of covetousness and to prioritize piety in order to rectify its harm. By reflecting on the Quranic verses that emphasize the detrimental effects of greed and the importance of righteousness, we can understand the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's words. May Allah guide us all to overcome covetousness and cultivate piety in our lives.