Hadith #3863

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 حَرَصَ عَلَى الدُّنيا هَلَكَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is greedy for this world is destroyed.

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

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. The word (harasa) "حَرَصَ" means to be greedy, to covet, or to have an excessive desire for something. It implies a relentless pursuit of worldly possessions, wealth, and material gains. The word (ad-dunya) "الدُّنيا" refers to the temporal world, the life of this world that is transient and fleeting.

To comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the dangers of being excessively attached to the material world. In Surah Al-Imran (3:14), Allah says,

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

This verse highlights the allure and attractiveness of worldly possessions, which can captivate the hearts and minds of individuals. However, Allah reminds us that the true reward lies with Him, and not in the temporary pleasures of this world. Similarly, in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), Allah states,

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...

These verses from the Quran emphasize that the pursuit of worldly desires can lead to distraction, arrogance, and a neglect of one's spiritual growth. It can consume a person's time and energy, diverting them from their ultimate purpose in life - to seek the pleasure of Allah and prepare for the eternal life hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims. It warns against the destructive consequences of being excessively attached to the material world. When one becomes consumed by greed and worldly desires, they lose sight of their true purpose and the pursuit of spiritual growth. This obsession with worldly possessions can lead to a neglect of one's duties towards Allah and humanity, causing spiritual and moral decay.

Moreover, the Hadith also highlights the importance of moderation in our approach to worldly possessions. Islam does not advocate renouncing the world entirely, but rather encourages Muslims to strike a balance between their worldly responsibilities and their spiritual obligations. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself led a simple and humble life, despite having access to wealth and power. He demonstrated that true success lies in using worldly resources for the betterment of oneself and others, rather than being enslaved by them.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded to evaluate our own intentions and desires. Are we driven by a relentless pursuit of material gains, or are we striving for a balanced and purposeful life? Are we using our worldly resources to benefit others and seek the pleasure of Allah, or are we allowing them to consume us?

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to prioritize our spiritual growth over worldly pursuits. May He protect us from the destructive consequences of excessive attachment to this temporary life. May we find contentment and success in seeking His pleasure and preparing for the eternal life hereafter.