Hadith #4825

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 progeny, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "كَثْرَةُ السَّرَفِ تُدَمِّرُ۔" This Hadith can be translated into English as,

Too much extravagance destroys.

Let us delve into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (saraf) "سَرَفِ" in this Hadith refers to excessive spending or indulgence in luxurious and unnecessary things. It signifies going beyond the limits of moderation and balance in one's lifestyle. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us that such extravagance leads to destruction.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of moderation and avoiding excess in various aspects of life. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:31), Allah 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 need for balance in our actions and desires. While it is permissible to enjoy the blessings of this world, we must not let our desires lead us to excessive indulgence. The Quran reminds us that Allah dislikes those who go beyond the limits and commit excess.

Extravagance not only leads to materialistic harm but also has spiritual consequences. In Surah Al-Isra (17:29), Allah says,

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 miserly or extravagant, as both extremes are detrimental to our well-being.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims to avoid excessive spending and indulgence. When we go beyond our means and spend lavishly on unnecessary things, we risk falling into financial difficulties and debt. Moreover, such extravagance can lead to a neglect of our obligations towards our families, society, and the less fortunate.

Additionally, excessive spending can lead to a materialistic mindset, where our focus becomes solely on accumulating wealth and possessions. This distracts us from our spiritual growth and the pursuit of higher values. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20),

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

This verse highlights the transient nature of worldly possessions and the futility of excessive attachment to them. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us against falling into this trap by reminding us of the destructive consequences of extravagance.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Too much extravagance destroys

serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to maintain moderation and balance in their lives. By avoiding excessive spending and indulgence, we protect ourselves from financial difficulties, materialistic distractions, and spiritual stagnation. Let us strive to follow the teachings of the Quran and the guidance of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his purified progeny, including Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), in order to lead a balanced and fulfilling life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand and implement these teachings.