Hadith #6083

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Whoever seeks that which is in the possession of people, they debase him [for it].

This Hadith highlights the consequences of coveting and pursuing what others possess. To fully comprehend the depth of this statement, let us delve into the meanings of the key words.

The word (talaba) "طَلَبَ" means to seek or desire, while (ma) "مَا" refers to that which. (fi) "فِي" signifies in or within, and (aydi) "أَيْدِي" translates to hands or possession. Lastly, (annas) "النَّاسِ" denotes people. Therefore, the Hadith can be understood as cautioning against seeking what others possess, as it will lead to humiliation and degradation.

To further elucidate the wisdom behind this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes contentment and warns against envy and greed. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (2:32)

And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing

This verse reminds us that Allah has apportioned sustenance and blessings to each individual according to His divine wisdom. Therefore, seeking what others possess is a form of discontentment and ingratitude towards Allah's decree. It is an implicit rejection of the divine wisdom behind the distribution of wealth and possessions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas, Allah narrates the story of Qarun, who was blessed with immense wealth and possessions. However, he became arrogant and transgressed the bounds set by Allah. As a consequence, Allah caused the earth to swallow him and his treasures. This serves as a stark reminder of the perils of coveting and seeking what others possess without gratitude and humility.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) aligns perfectly with these Quranic teachings. It warns Muslims against the destructive nature of envy and greed, which can lead to humiliation and degradation. When one becomes fixated on acquiring what others possess, they lose sight of their own blessings and the gratitude owed to Allah.

Moreover, this Hadith encourages Muslims to focus on their own efforts and seek sustenance through lawful means. Instead of harboring envy towards others, we should strive to improve ourselves and make the most of the opportunities presented to us. By doing so, we can cultivate contentment, gratitude, and a sense of self-worth.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to avoid coveting and seeking what others possess. It highlights the consequences of such behavior, which include humiliation and degradation. By turning to the Quran, we find numerous verses that emphasize contentment, gratitude, and the dangers of envy. May Allah protect us from the pitfalls of greed and grant us the wisdom to appreciate our own blessings.