Hadith #6142

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 لَزِمَ الطَّمَعَ عَدِمَ الوَرَعَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who clings to covetousness is deprived of piety.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (tam'a) "طَمَعَ" refers to an intense desire or greed for worldly possessions. It is the inclination towards accumulating wealth and material possessions beyond what is necessary or lawful. On the other hand, (wara'a) "وَرَعَ" refers to piety, righteousness, and the fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is the act of abstaining from sinful actions and striving to fulfill one's religious obligations.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 96,

And you will surely find them the most greedy of people for life - [even] more than those who associate others with Allah. One of them wishes that he could be granted life a thousand years, but it would not remove him in the least from the [coming] punishment that he should be granted life. And Allah is Seeing of what they do.

This verse highlights the detrimental nature of covetousness and greed. It describes how some individuals become so consumed by their desires for worldly possessions that they prioritize them over their spiritual well-being. They become blinded by their greed and lose sight of the true purpose of life, which is to worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seek His pleasure.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hashr, verse 9, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And [also for] those who were settled in the Home [i.e., 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 emphasizes the importance of selflessness and generosity. It teaches us that true success lies in overcoming our own selfish desires and putting the needs of others before our own. When we cling to covetousness, we are unable to develop this selflessness and generosity, which are essential qualities for attaining piety.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, warns us about the consequences of clinging to covetousness. When we become obsessed with accumulating wealth and material possessions, we neglect our spiritual growth and distance ourselves from the path of righteousness. Our hearts become hardened, and we lose the ability to empathize with the struggles of others. This leads to a decline in our piety and a weakening of our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to strike a balance between our worldly pursuits and our spiritual obligations. It is not inherently wrong to desire success or material comfort, but we must ensure that our desires are within the boundaries set by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should prioritize our spiritual well-being and the well-being of others over our own selfish desires. By doing so, we can attain true piety and find contentment in both this world and the Hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and protect us from the destructive nature of covetousness. Ameen.