Hadith #2555

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,

كُنْ سَمِحاً ولاتَكُنْ مُبَذِّراً۔

which translates to

Be open-handed but do not be wasteful.

This enlightening Hadith holds great wisdom and guidance for Muslims in their daily lives.

The word (samihan) "سَمِحاً" in this Hadith refers to being open-handed or generous. It encourages Muslims to be generous in their dealings with others, to give freely and willingly without hesitation. This generosity can manifest in various forms, such as giving charity, helping those in need, and being kind and forgiving towards others.

On the other hand, the word (mubaththiran) "مُبَذِّراً" refers to being wasteful or extravagant. It cautions Muslims against excessive spending or squandering their resources unnecessarily. Islam teaches moderation and balance in all aspects of life, including our financial matters. Being wasteful goes against the principles of Islam, which emphasize the importance of utilizing resources wisely and avoiding extravagance.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:26-27),

And give to the relative his right, and [also] to the poor and the traveler. But do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.

This Quranic verse emphasizes the importance of giving to those in need, while also warning against wastefulness. It highlights that wastefulness is akin to the actions of the devil, as it leads to ingratitude towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Therefore, Muslims are encouraged to be mindful of their spending habits and to avoid extravagance.

Another relevant Quranic verse is found in Surah Al-Isra (17:29), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.

This verse serves as a reminder to Muslims to strike a balance in their generosity. It advises against being excessively stingy by keeping one's hand

chained to the neck,

but also warns against being overly generous to the point of becoming insolvent. Islam encourages Muslims to be moderate and wise in their spending, ensuring that they fulfill their obligations while also being generous within their means.

Reflecting on the exegesis of this Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us the importance of being generous and open-handed, while also cautioning against wastefulness and extravagance. By striking a balance between these two qualities, Muslims can fulfill their duty towards others and towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Being open-handed allows us to contribute positively to society, help those in need, and earn the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). At the same time, avoiding wastefulness ensures that we are responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a timeless reminder for Muslims to be generous and open-handed, while also being mindful of avoiding wastefulness. By embodying these qualities, we can strive towards a balanced and fulfilling life, both in this world and in the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives.