Hadith #4044

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 بَخِلَ بِدينِهِ جَلَّ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is stingy with his religion [and does not give it up for the sake of this world] becomes exalted.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this enlightening saying in light of the Quranic teachings. The word (bakhīla) "بَخِلَ" in Arabic refers to stinginess or miserliness. In this context, it signifies being reluctant or hesitant to sacrifice or give up one's religion for worldly gains. It implies a person's attachment to material possessions and desires, which prevents them from prioritizing their faith.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our religion over worldly matters. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 2:207)

And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allah. And Allah is kind to [His] servants.

This verse highlights the significance of sacrificing worldly desires and aspirations for the sake of seeking Allah's approval.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 9:24)

Say, 'If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.'

This verse emphasizes the need to prioritize our love for Allah, His Messenger, and striving in His cause over all worldly attachments.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the consequences of being stingy with one's religion. When a person becomes attached to worldly gains and neglects their religious obligations, they become exalted in the eyes of people but diminish their spiritual status in the sight of Allah. This exaltation is temporary and superficial, as it is based on worldly standards and materialistic achievements.

By prioritizing worldly gains over their faith, individuals may acquire wealth, power, and fame in the eyes of society. However, they lose the true essence of their religion and compromise their spiritual growth. They become slaves to their desires and are blinded by the temporary pleasures of this world, neglecting their ultimate purpose of worshipping and seeking closeness to Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly evaluate their priorities and ensure that their religion remains at the forefront of their lives. It encourages us to detach ourselves from the materialistic world and focus on the eternal rewards that come from fulfilling our religious obligations.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should ask ourselves: Are we willing to sacrifice our worldly desires and ambitions for the sake of our religion? Are we prioritizing our relationship with Allah over temporary gains? Are we seeking spiritual growth and closeness to Allah, or are we becoming slaves to our desires?

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to prioritize our religion over worldly attachments. May we strive to become true servants of Allah, seeking His pleasure above all else. And may we always remember that true exaltation lies in our devotion to Allah and our commitment to our faith.