Hadith #2932

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.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reflects on the attitude of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) towards the material world. The Imam describes how the Prophet (ﷺ) belittled and took lightly the worldly possessions, treating them with disdain. The Prophet (ﷺ) understood that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) had chosen to keep the world away from him, while bestowing it upon others as a means of trial.

To understand the depth of this hadith, we must delve into the meanings of the key words used by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). The word (hakqara) "حَقَّرَ" means to belittle, to consider something insignificant or of little value. The Prophet (ﷺ) did not attach his heart to the material possessions of this world, recognizing their fleeting nature and their inability to bring true happiness and contentment.

The word (ahwana) "أهْوَنَ" means to take lightly or to treat with ease. The Prophet (ﷺ) did not burden himself with excessive attachment to worldly possessions, nor did he allow them to distract him from his ultimate purpose of worshiping Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). He understood that the true value lies in the spiritual realm and the hereafter.

The word (hawwana) "هَوَّنَها" means to treat with disdain or contempt. The Prophet (ﷺ) did not hold the material world in high regard, recognizing its temporary nature and its potential to lead people astray from the path of righteousness. He did not allow the allure of wealth, power, or fame to corrupt his soul or divert him from his mission of spreading the message of Islam.

To further understand the significance of this hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46: (Quran 18:46)

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope.

This verse emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly possessions and highlights the importance of focusing on enduring good deeds that will benefit us in the hereafter. The Prophet (ﷺ) embodied this principle by prioritizing his spiritual connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over material wealth and possessions.

In Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says: (Quran 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...

This verse serves as a reminder that the attractions of this world are temporary and fleeting. The Prophet (ﷺ) understood this reality and chose to detach himself from the allure of worldly possessions, recognizing that true success lies in the pursuit of spiritual growth and the attainment of closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The consequences of the Prophet's (ﷺ) attitude towards the material world were profound. His detachment from worldly possessions allowed him to focus wholeheartedly on his mission of spreading the message of Islam and establishing a just society. His example continues to inspire Muslims to prioritize their spiritual growth and to seek contentment in the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rather than in the accumulation of material wealth.

Reflecting on this hadith, we are reminded of the importance of adopting a balanced approach towards the material world. While it is permissible to enjoy the blessings of this life, we should not allow them to distract us from our ultimate purpose of worshiping Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and seeking His pleasure. We should strive to emulate the Prophet (ﷺ) in his detachment from worldly possessions and his focus on the eternal rewards of the hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to prioritize our spiritual growth and the strength to overcome the temptations of this world. May we be inspired by the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and strive to follow in his footsteps, seeking contentment and success in the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone.