Hadith #5179

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us against the vice of voraciousness, describing it as the root of every vileness and the foundation of every depravity. To fully comprehend the depth and significance of this statement, let us delve into the meanings of the key words used by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

The word (sharah) "شَّرَهَ" in Arabic refers to an intense desire or greed for something, especially when it comes to food or wealth. It implies an insatiable appetite that drives a person to consume excessively, without regard for moderation or self-control. This excessive consumption can lead to various negative consequences, both on an individual and societal level.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the dangers of voraciousness by stating that it is the (ra'su kulli daniyyah) "رَأسُ كُلِّ دَنِيَّة", which can be translated as the

root of every vileness.

Here, (daniyyah) "دَنِيَّة" refers to all forms of moral corruption, wickedness, and evil. It signifies the degradation of one's character and the erosion of ethical values. Voraciousness, with its insatiable appetite, becomes the starting point from which all other vices and immoral actions stem.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes voraciousness as the (us kulli razilah) "أُسُّ كُلِّ رَذيلَة", which can be translated as the

foundation of every depravity.

Here, (razilah) "رَذِيلَة" refers to all forms of moral degradation, corruption, and depravity. It represents the deterioration of one's character and the descent into immorality. Voraciousness, with its insatiable appetite, becomes the underlying cause that supports and sustains all other forms of moral decay.

To further understand the wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warning, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of moderation and self-control in various verses.

In Surah Al-A'raf (7:31), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.

This verse highlights the importance of enjoying the blessings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) in moderation. It cautions against excessive consumption and emphasizes the need for self-restraint. Voraciousness, as warned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), goes against the teachings of the Quran and can lead to moral degradation.

In Surah Al-Isra (17:29), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.

This verse reminds us of the consequences of excessive spending and greed. It warns against becoming enslaved to our desires and urges us to exercise self-control. Voraciousness, with its insatiable appetite, can lead to financial ruin and moral bankruptcy.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warning against voraciousness serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to cultivate moderation and self-control in all aspects of life. By refraining from excessive consumption and greed, we can safeguard ourselves from the vices and moral degradation that stem from it. This Hadith encourages us to reflect on our own behaviors and strive for balance and moderation in our pursuit of worldly desires.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the strength to implement them in our lives. May we strive to embody the values of moderation and self-control, and may we be protected from the vices that arise from voraciousness.