Hadith #5872

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

بَلاءُ الرَّجُلِ في طاعَةِ الطَّمَعِ والأمَلِ

which translates to

The tribulation of a man is in his submission to avarice and [false] hope.

Let us first understand the key words in this Hadith. (balaa) "بَلاءُ" refers to a trial, affliction, or tribulation that tests a person's patience, faith, and character. (ar-rajul) "الرَّجُلِ" means a man, indicating that this Hadith is specifically addressing the challenges faced by men. (taa'at) "طاعَةِ" refers to submission or obedience. (at-tama') "الطَّمَعِ" refers to avarice or greed, which is the excessive desire for wealth or material possessions. (al-amal) "الأمَلِ" refers to false hope or unrealistic expectations.

To further understand the impactful message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the dangers of greed and false hope in several verses.

In Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah says,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking sustenance from Allah and relying on Him alone, rather than being consumed by greed and false hope.

In Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), Allah says,

Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. It is as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers, evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers, good-doers), whereas the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.

This verse reminds us that the pursuit of worldly wealth and possessions is fleeting and temporary, and true success lies in seeking Allah's pleasure and preparing for the Hereafter.

From these Quranic verses, we can understand that the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is warning us about the dangers of submitting to greed and false hope. A person who is constantly driven by avarice and unrealistic expectations is bound to face trials and tribulations in their life.

When a person becomes consumed by greed, they lose sight of the true purpose of life and their actions become solely focused on accumulating wealth and possessions. This can lead to unethical behavior, such as exploitation, dishonesty, and neglect of one's responsibilities towards others. Such actions not only harm the individual but also have negative consequences for society as a whole.

Additionally, false hope can be equally detrimental. When a person places their hopes and aspirations in material possessions or worldly achievements, they set themselves up for disappointment and despair. They become blind to the reality of life's impermanence and the true source of fulfillment, which lies in seeking closeness to Allah and living a life of righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful saying serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual well-being over worldly desires. It encourages us to cultivate contentment, gratitude, and moderation in our pursuit of wealth and possessions. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from the tribulations that arise from greed and false hope, and instead find peace and tranquility in our hearts.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the tribulations that arise from submitting to greed and false hope. It urges us to prioritize our spiritual well-being and seek contentment and moderation in our pursuit of worldly possessions. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from the trials and tribulations that come with avarice and unrealistic expectations, and instead find true fulfillment in our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah guide us all to the path of righteousness and protect us from the pitfalls of greed and false hope.