Hadith #4827

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Mani fatakhara bittabzeer ihtaqara biliflas.

This Hadith emphasizes the consequences of taking pride in wastefulness and extravagance. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word "iftakhara" in Arabic means to boast or take pride in something. It refers to a feeling of superiority or arrogance. The word "tabzeer" means wastefulness or extravagance, which implies spending excessively and without purpose. On the other hand, "ihtaqara" means to be humiliated or brought low, while "biliflas" refers to poverty or indigence.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly warns against extravagance and wastefulness. In Surah Al-Isra, verse 29, Allah says,

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

This verse cautions against spending excessively to the point of becoming insolvent and burdened with debt.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Furqan, verse 67, Allah describes the righteous servants as those who do not engage in wastefulness, saying,

And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate.

This verse highlights the importance of moderation in spending and avoiding both extravagance and stinginess.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder of the consequences of indulging in wastefulness and extravagance. When one takes pride in such behavior, they are essentially disregarding the teachings of Islam and the guidance of the Quran. This arrogance and disregard for moderation can lead to dire consequences, as indicated by the phrase "ihtaqara biliflas" - being humiliated by indigence.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words in this Hadith reflect his deep understanding of human nature and the consequences of our actions. By taking pride in wastefulness, one not only invites financial difficulties but also invites humiliation and loss of dignity.

This Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their spending habits and to avoid extravagance and wastefulness. It encourages us to adopt a balanced approach in our financial matters, following the guidance of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns against the pride and arrogance that comes with wastefulness and extravagance. It reminds us to be moderate in our spending, avoiding both excessive indulgence and stinginess. By adhering to the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt, we can protect ourselves from the consequences of wastefulness and maintain our dignity and financial stability. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the path of moderation and righteousness.