Hadith #2068

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) teaches us a profound lesson about the importance of contentment and the dangers of greed. The word (intaqim) "إنْتَقِمْ" in the Hadith means to take revenge or seek retribution. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to seek revenge on our own greed through the practice of contentment. The word (hirsika) "حِرْصِكَ" refers to one's greed or excessive desire for wealth, power, or material possessions. On the other hand, the word (al-qunoo) "القُنُوعِ" means contentment, which is the state of being satisfied with what Allah has provided for us.

This Hadith reminds us of the importance of being content with what we have, rather than constantly desiring more. It teaches us that greed is an enemy that we must fight against, just as we would seek revenge against a physical enemy. Greed can lead to a variety of negative consequences, both in this world and in the hereafter. It can lead to dissatisfaction, envy, and a constant pursuit of worldly possessions, which ultimately distracts us from our true purpose in life - to worship Allah and seek His pleasure.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of contentment and warn against the dangers of greed. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 96:

And you will surely find them the most greedy of people for life - [even] more than those who associate others with Allah. One of them wishes that he could be granted life a thousand years, but it would not remove him in the least from the [coming] punishment that he should be granted life. And Allah is Seeing of what they do.

This verse highlights the insatiable nature of greed and how it can consume a person's life, leading them to desire more and more, even to the extent of wishing for a thousand years of life. However, Allah reminds us that no matter how much a person accumulates in this world, it will not save them from the punishment that awaits them if they do not turn back to Allah and seek His forgiveness.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Takathur, verse 1-2:

Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you until you visit the graveyards.

This verse highlights the distraction that greed can cause, leading people to compete with one another in the accumulation of wealth and material possessions. It reminds us that this worldly competition is futile and ultimately leads to neglecting the remembrance of Allah and the reality of death.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice to seek revenge on our greed through contentment is a powerful reminder for us to reflect on our own desires and priorities. It encourages us to shift our focus from the temporary pleasures of this world to the eternal rewards of the hereafter. By practicing contentment, we free ourselves from the constant pursuit of material possessions and find peace and satisfaction in what Allah has blessed us with.

Contentment does not mean that we should not strive for success or work hard to improve our lives. Rather, it means that we should be grateful for what we have and avoid excessive attachment to worldly possessions. It means finding contentment in the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon us, whether they are great or small.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek revenge on their own greed through the practice of contentment. It warns against the dangers of excessive desire for worldly possessions and emphasizes the importance of being satisfied with what Allah has provided. By following this advice, we can free ourselves from the distractions of this world and focus on our ultimate purpose - to worship Allah and seek His pleasure. May Allah guide us all to the path of contentment and protect us from the pitfalls of greed.