Hadith #2106

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:

مَنْ كَثُرَ حِرْصُهُ قَلَّ يَقينُهُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

One whose greed increases, his certitude decreases.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith. The word (his greed) "حِرْصُهُ" refers to an intense desire or eagerness for material possessions, wealth, or power. It signifies a state of excessive attachment to worldly gains and a lack of contentment with what one already possesses. The word (decreases) "قَلَّ" means to diminish or reduce, while (his certitude) "يَقينُهُ" refers to one's firm belief, conviction, and faith.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Hadeed (57:20):

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse highlights the fleeting nature of worldly possessions and the temporary nature of the materialistic pursuits that consume our hearts. The more one becomes engrossed in the pursuit of wealth and power, the more their certitude in the eternal truths and the hereafter diminishes. Greed blinds us from recognizing the true purpose of our existence and distracts us from seeking closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Takathur (102:1-2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you until you visit the graveyards.

This verse serves as a reminder that the pursuit of worldly gains and the accumulation of wealth can lead us astray from the remembrance of Allah and the contemplation of our mortality. Greed can consume our hearts to the point where we neglect our spiritual growth and fail to prepare for the inevitable meeting with our Creator.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the consequences of excessive greed. When our focus shifts solely towards material possessions, our certitude in the existence of Allah, the truth of His message, and the importance of the hereafter diminishes. Our faith becomes weak, and we become more susceptible to doubts and distractions. We lose sight of the true purpose of our lives, which is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure.

The motivation behind this Hadith is to remind us of the dangers of greed and the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective on worldly possessions. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, understood the detrimental effects of excessive greed on one's faith. He encourages us to cultivate contentment and gratitude for what we have, rather than constantly yearning for more.

The consequences of unchecked greed are manifold. It leads to a spiritual decline, distancing us from Allah and hindering our progress towards attaining true certitude. Greed can also breed envy, selfishness, and a disregard for the rights of others. It can cause divisions within communities and even lead to oppression and injustice.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to strike a balance between our worldly pursuits and our spiritual growth. We must remember that our true wealth lies in our faith and our connection with Allah. By prioritizing our relationship with Him and seeking His pleasure, we can find contentment and true certitude. Let us not allow the allure of material possessions to blind us from the ultimate purpose of our existence and the eternal rewards that await us in the hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize the dangers of greed and the strength to overcome it. May He increase our certitude and bless us with contentment and gratitude. Ameen.