Hadith #6146

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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:

قَليلُ الطَّمَعِ يُفْسِدُ كَثيرَ الوَرَعِ۔

This can be translated into English as:

A little cupidity corrupts a lot of piety.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. (Qaleel) "قَليلُ" means "little" or "few," referring to a small amount or quantity. (Tama') "الطَّمَعِ" means "cupidity" or "greed," which signifies an excessive desire for wealth or worldly possessions. (Yufsidu) "يُفْسِدُ" means "corrupts" or "spoils," indicating the negative impact or harm caused by cupidity. (Katheer) "كَثيرَ" means "a lot" or "many," representing a large amount or quantity. (War') "الوَرَعِ" means "piety" or "righteousness," which refers to the state of being devout and God-fearing.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Humazah (104:1-3):

Woe to every scorner and mocker, who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal.

This Quranic verse highlights the danger of excessive greed and attachment to worldly possessions. The one who is consumed by cupidity becomes engrossed in accumulating wealth, counting it obsessively, and believing that their riches will grant them eternal life. Such a person is blinded by their desires and loses sight of the true purpose of life, which is to seek the pleasure of Allah and strive for righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to guard against the destructive influence of greed. It teaches us that even a small amount of cupidity can tarnish and corrupt a person's piety, no matter how devout they may appear to be. This corruption can manifest in various ways, such as dishonesty, exploitation, and neglect of one's religious obligations.

For instance, a person who is driven by greed may resort to unethical business practices, deceiving others for personal gain. They may exploit the vulnerable, disregarding the principles of justice and compassion. Additionally, their obsession with accumulating wealth may lead them to neglect their religious duties, such as charity and helping those in need.

The consequences of succumbing to cupidity are not limited to material harm. It also has a detrimental impact on one's spiritual well-being. The heart becomes hardened, and the love for worldly possessions takes precedence over the love for Allah and the pursuit of righteousness. This leads to a spiritual decline and distances a person from the path of guidance.

Conversely, those who cultivate contentment and gratitude, and are mindful of the dangers of greed, are able to maintain their piety and righteousness. They recognize that true success lies in seeking the pleasure of Allah and utilizing their wealth and resources for the betterment of society. They are generous, compassionate, and mindful of their responsibilities towards others.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the destructive influence of greed. It teaches us that even a small amount of cupidity can corrupt a person's piety and lead them astray from the path of righteousness. By reflecting on the Quranic verses that warn against the perils of excessive attachment to worldly possessions, we are reminded of the importance of cultivating contentment, gratitude, and a balanced approach towards wealth. May Allah protect us from the harms of greed and guide us towards a life of piety and righteousness.