Hadith #1442

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,

البخيل يسمح من عرضه بأكثر مما أمسك من عرضه، ويضيع من دينه أضعاف ما حفظ من نشبه

This Hadith highlights the characteristics and consequences of being miserly. Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith to gain a better understanding.

The word (al-bakhil) "البخيل" refers to a miser, someone who is excessively stingy and reluctant to spend their wealth. The term (yasmah) "يسمح" means to give up or let go, and (‘irdeh) "عرضه" refers to one's honor or dignity. On the other hand, (amsakah) "أمسك" means to hold or possess, and (mimma) "مما" signifies "of what" or "from what". Additionally, (deenah) "دينه" refers to one's religion, and (nashbih) "نشبه" means something similar or resembling.

To comprehend the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Isra (17:80),

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's honor and dignity in all aspects of life, including our financial dealings.

Furthermore, the Quran teaches us in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:264),

O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day.

This verse warns against the hypocrisy of those who give for show and seek recognition, rather than sincerely seeking the pleasure of Allah. Such individuals may compromise their honor and integrity by prioritizing their worldly possessions over their spiritual well-being.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith further elucidates the consequences of miserliness. It states that a miser gives up more of his honor than what he holds of his possessions. This means that the miser, in his reluctance to spend, compromises his dignity and self-respect. By prioritizing wealth over character, he becomes enslaved to his possessions, losing sight of the true purpose of life.

Moreover, the Hadith asserts that a miser loses multiple times more of his religion than what he saves of his property. This highlights the detrimental impact of miserliness on one's faith. When a person becomes excessively attached to their wealth and fails to fulfill their religious obligations, their spiritual growth is hindered. The pursuit of material possessions takes precedence over the pursuit of righteousness, leading to a decline in their religious commitment.

To illustrate the consequences of miserliness, let us consider an example. Imagine a person who hoards their wealth and refuses to spend it on charitable causes or helping those in need. In doing so, they may gain temporary financial security, but they also lose the opportunity to earn the blessings and rewards that come from selfless acts of kindness. By neglecting their duty to assist others, they compromise their honor and integrity, tarnishing their reputation in the eyes of both Allah and fellow Muslims.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be mindful of the consequences of miserliness. It highlights the importance of maintaining our honor and dignity, as well as the detrimental impact of prioritizing worldly possessions over our religious obligations. May we strive to be generous and selfless, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in all our actions and preserving our faith and integrity.