Hadith #8802

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, "لاقَناعَةَ مَعَ شَرَه۔" This can be translated as,

There is no contentment with avarice.

Let us delve into the essence of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (laqana'ata) "لاقَناعَةَ" refers to contentment or satisfaction. It signifies a state of being pleased and fulfilled with what one possesses, without the desire for more. On the other hand, the term (sharah) "شَرَه۔" refers to avarice or greed. It represents an insatiable desire for wealth or material possessions, always wanting more and never being content.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of contentment and warns against the dangers of greed. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 14:7)

And [recall] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'

This verse highlights the concept of gratitude and contentment. When we are grateful for what we have, Allah promises to increase us in blessings. However, if we deny His favors and become consumed by greed, we risk facing severe consequences. Greed leads to dissatisfaction, envy, and a perpetual cycle of wanting more, which ultimately hinders our ability to find contentment and peace.

Another verse that sheds light on the Hadith of Imam Ali is found in Surah Al-Hashr. Allah says, (Quran 59:10)

And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying, 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.'

This verse teaches us the importance of not harboring resentment or envy towards others. When we are content with what Allah has bestowed upon us, we are able to sincerely supplicate for forgiveness and blessings for ourselves and our fellow believers. Avarice, on the other hand, breeds jealousy and ill feelings towards others, preventing us from fostering unity and love within the Muslim community.

Imam Ali's statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for contentment and to guard against the destructive nature of greed. Avarice not only leads to dissatisfaction and unhappiness in this world, but it also has severe consequences in the hereafter. The pursuit of material possessions and wealth can distract us from our true purpose in life, which is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure.

Imam Ali's profound wisdom urges us to reflect on our own desires and to strive for contentment with what Allah has decreed for us. By cultivating gratitude and recognizing the blessings in our lives, we can find true contentment and inner peace. Let us remember the words of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), who said,

Richness is not having many possessions, but richness is the richness of the soul.

May Allah guide us all towards contentment and protect us from the pitfalls of avarice.