Hadith #10518

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,

مَنْ بَخِلَ عَلى نَفْسِهِ كانَ عَلى غَيرِهِ أبْخَلَ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever is miserly with himself is more miserly with others.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (bakhil) "بَخِلَ" refers to being miserly or stingy. It implies withholding or refraining from spending or giving generously. (nafsihi) "نَفْسِهِ" means oneself, indicating that the person is being miserly towards their own self. (ghairihi) "غَيْرِهِ" means others, indicating that the person who is stingy with themselves will also be stingy towards others.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (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 highlights the importance of moderation in spending and not being excessively stingy or extravagant. It reminds us that being miserly with ourselves can lead to negative consequences and a blameworthy state.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.

This verse emphasizes the importance of spending from what is good and pure, without being miserly or seeking to give away what is of no value to oneself. It encourages us to be generous and mindful of the quality of our giving.

From these Quranic verses, we can understand that the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us a valuable lesson. When we are stingy with ourselves, withholding goodness and blessings, we are more likely to be stingy towards others as well. This miserliness can manifest in various forms, such as being reluctant to give to those in need, being hesitant to share knowledge or resources, or even being unwilling to forgive and show kindness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom. He understood the importance of generosity and selflessness, as he himself was known for his generosity and willingness to help others. By highlighting the consequences of being miserly with oneself, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to reflect on our own actions and attitudes towards ourselves and others.

When we are generous with ourselves, investing in our own personal growth, well-being, and spirituality, we are more likely to extend that generosity towards others. By nurturing a mindset of abundance and gratitude, we can break free from the chains of miserliness and embrace a life of compassion and generosity. This not only benefits others but also brings immense spiritual rewards and blessings.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their own attitudes towards themselves and others. By being generous with ourselves, we can cultivate a spirit of generosity and kindness towards others. Let us strive to embody the teachings of the Quran and the noble examples set by the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bless us with the ability to be generous and compassionate in all aspects of our lives.