Hadith #2078

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "الحِرْصُ يُذِلُّ ويُشْقي۔" This Hadith can be translated as,

Greed humiliates and causes misery.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (al-hirsu) "الحِرْصُ" refers to greed or excessive desire for worldly possessions. It is an insatiable craving that drives a person to constantly seek more, regardless of the consequences. The word (yudhillu) "يُذِلُّ" means to humiliate or degrade oneself. It implies that greed leads to a loss of dignity and self-respect. The word (yushqi) "يُشْقِي" means to cause misery or suffering. It signifies that greed brings about hardship and distress in one's life.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against the destructive nature of greed in several verses. In Surah Al-Hashr (59:9), Allah says,

And those who came after them say, '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 highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness and avoiding resentment towards others. Greed often stems from a sense of envy and resentment towards those who possess more wealth or material possessions. By harboring such feelings, one not only damages their own spiritual well-being but also disrupts the unity and harmony within the Muslim community.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah states,

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 emphasizes the importance of seeking sustenance from Allah and relying on Him for our needs. Greed, on the other hand, stems from a lack of trust in Allah's provision and a desire to accumulate wealth and possessions through unlawful means. By succumbing to greed, one not only distances themselves from the blessings and sustenance that Allah provides but also risks falling into sinful and unethical behavior.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to guard against the destructive nature of greed. It highlights the negative consequences that arise from an insatiable desire for worldly possessions. Greed leads to humiliation and degradation, as it drives a person to compromise their values and principles in pursuit of material wealth. It also causes misery and suffering, as the constant pursuit of more leaves one perpetually dissatisfied and disconnected from the true purpose of life.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of contentment and gratitude. Islam encourages us to be satisfied with what Allah has blessed us with and to use our resources to benefit others. By cultivating a mindset of gratitude and generosity, we can overcome the destructive influence of greed and find true happiness and fulfillment in serving Allah and His creation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to guard against the destructive nature of greed. It warns us of the consequences of excessive desire for worldly possessions, which leads to humiliation and misery. By reflecting on the Quranic verses that highlight the dangers of greed, we are reminded of the importance of contentment, gratitude, and reliance on Allah for our sustenance. May Allah protect us from the pitfalls of greed and guide us towards a life of righteousness and moderation.