Hadith #6716

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,

وُفُورُ الأمْوالِ بِانْتِقاصِ الأعْراضِ لُؤْمٌ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

Abundance of wealth [that is attained] by the derogation of reputations is ignobility.

Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (wufur) "وُفُورُ" refers to the abundance or excessiveness of wealth. It implies a great accumulation of material possessions and riches. The term (amwal) "أمْوالِ" refers to wealth or possessions. It encompasses all forms of material resources, including money, property, and assets.

The phrase (bintiqas al-a'radh) "بِانْتِقاصِ الأعْراضِ" can be translated as

by the derogation of reputations.

Here, (intiqas) "انْتِقاصِ" refers to the act of diminishing or belittling something, while (al-a'radh) "الأعْراضِ" refers to reputations or honor. Therefore, this phrase highlights the unethical means through which wealth is acquired by tarnishing the dignity and honor of others.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of preserving the honor and dignity of others in several verses. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them.

This verse reminds us that belittling or derogating others is not only morally wrong but also goes against the principles of Islam. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also warns against backbiting and slandering in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), stating,

And do not backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further emphasizes the negative consequences of acquiring wealth through the derogation of reputations. It highlights the moral degradation and ignobility that accompany such actions. When individuals resort to tarnishing the honor of others to amass wealth, they not only harm the victims but also damage their own character and integrity.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize ethical conduct in their pursuit of wealth and success. It urges us to seek lawful means of acquiring wealth and to avoid any actions that undermine the dignity and honor of others. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his wisdom and knowledge, teaches us the importance of maintaining our moral values and integrity in all aspects of life.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to emulate the noble qualities of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and adhere to the teachings of the Quran. By doing so, we can build a society that upholds justice, compassion, and respect for one another. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us on the path of righteousness and protect us from the temptation of acquiring wealth through unethical means.