Hadith #1457

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ بَخِلَ بِمالِهِ ذَلَّ۔

which translates to,

One who is stingy with his wealth is abased.

This thought-provoking saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the negative consequences of being miserly with one's wealth.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (bakhīla) "بَخِلَ" refers to stinginess or miserliness, which is the act of withholding or being reluctant to spend or share one's wealth. The word (mālihi) "مَالِهِ" refers to one's possessions or wealth. And the word (dhillah) "ذَلَّ" means abasement or humiliation.

To further comprehend the implications of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of generosity and spending in His book. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 3:92)

Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it

This verse highlights the necessity of spending from what we hold dear in order to attain goodness and righteousness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 17:29)

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

This verse warns against being excessively stingy or miserly, as it leads to criticism and financial difficulties.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) aligns perfectly with these Quranic teachings. When a person hoards their wealth and refrains from spending it for the benefit of others, they not only deprive themselves of the blessings of generosity but also subject themselves to humiliation and abasement. This is because stinginess contradicts the spirit of Islam, which encourages selflessness, compassion, and sharing.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his exceptional knowledge and wisdom, understood the detrimental effects of stinginess. He recognized that wealth is a blessing from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and should be used to fulfill the needs of others. By withholding this blessing, one not only harms themselves but also fails to fulfill their duty as a Muslim.

The consequences of stinginess extend beyond the material realm. When a person becomes miserly, they develop a mindset of scarcity and fear, which hinders their spiritual growth. Generosity, on the other hand, cultivates a sense of abundance, gratitude, and trust in Allah's provision. It opens doors for blessings and elevates the soul.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should evaluate our own attitudes towards wealth and generosity. Are we using our wealth to benefit others and contribute to the well-being of society? Or are we holding onto it tightly, fearing scarcity and neglecting our duty as Muslims? Let us remember that true wealth lies in the generosity of our hearts and the willingness to share our blessings with others.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be generous and selfless, and protect us from the abasement of stinginess. Ameen.