Hadith #1423

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all 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, "بِالبُخْلِ تَكْثُرُ المَسَبَّةُ۔" This Hadith can be translated as,

Through stinginess, vilification increases.

Let us first understand the key words in this Hadith. (bukhl) "بُخْل" refers to stinginess or miserliness, which is the act of withholding or being reluctant to give or share wealth, resources, or blessings. (masabbah) "مَسَبَّة" refers to vilification or defamation, which is the act of spreading false accusations or slander against someone.

To gain a deeper understanding of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against the negative consequences of stinginess in several verses. For example, in Surah Al-Isra (17:100), Allah says,

And We had certainly settled the Children of Israel in an agreeable settlement and provided them with good things. And they did not differ until [after] knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.

This verse highlights how the Children of Israel, despite being blessed with provisions and knowledge, fell into disputes and animosity due to their stinginess and envy towards one another. Their unwillingness to share their blessings led to divisions and conflicts among them.

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

And [also for] those who were settled in 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 praises the Ansar (the residents of Madinah) for their generosity and selflessness towards the Muhajirun (the emigrants). Despite their own hardships, the Ansar preferred the needs of the Muhajirun over their own. This act of selflessness and giving is contrasted with the stinginess of the soul, which is seen as a hindrance to success.

From these Quranic verses, we can infer that stinginess not only leads to divisions and conflicts among people but also hinders personal growth and success. When individuals are unwilling to share their blessings, it creates an atmosphere of envy, animosity, and vilification.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the negative consequences of stinginess. When we are stingy with our wealth, resources, or even our knowledge, it can lead to the spread of false accusations and slander against others. This can damage relationships, create divisions within the community, and hinder the overall progress and unity of the ummah.

Furthermore, this Hadith also highlights the importance of generosity and selflessness in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) were known for their generosity and willingness to share their blessings with others. They set the example for Muslims to follow, emphasizing the importance of giving and helping those in need.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the negative consequences of stinginess and the increase in vilification that it brings. It serves as a warning against the harmful effects of withholding our blessings and encourages us to embrace generosity and selflessness. By following the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can create a harmonious and united Muslim community, free from envy, animosity, and vilification. May Allah guide us all to be generous and selfless, and protect us from the stinginess of our souls.