Hadith #8467

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

إظْهارُ التَّباوُسِ يَجْلِبُ الفَقْرَ۔

This can be translated into English as,

Displaying neediness gives rise to poverty.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (izhar) "إظْهارُ" means to openly display or show. (tabaous) "التَّباوُسِ" refers to neediness or poverty. And (faqra) "الفَقْرَ" means poverty or destitution.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:80),

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking sustenance from Allah and relying on Him for our needs.

In another verse, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Qasas (28:82),

And when the Word is fulfilled against them (the unjust), We shall produce from the earth a beast to (face) them: He will speak to them, for that mankind did not believe with assurance in Our Signs.

This verse reminds us that Allah has the power to provide for us in unimaginable ways, even through means that we may not expect or comprehend.

Reflecting upon these Quranic verses, we can understand the deeper meaning of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. Displaying neediness or openly expressing our poverty can lead to a mindset of dependency on others, rather than relying on Allah. This mindset can result in a lack of self-reliance and a diminished sense of personal responsibility.

When we constantly display our neediness, we may inadvertently discourage others from helping us, as they may perceive us as being overly dependent or lacking initiative. This can lead to a cycle of poverty, where we become trapped in a state of perpetual neediness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, advises us to be cautious in openly displaying our neediness. Instead, we should strive to maintain our dignity and self-respect while seeking help from Allah, the ultimate Provider.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for us to have trust in Allah's mercy and to rely on Him for our sustenance. It encourages us to take proactive steps towards self-improvement, seeking knowledge, and utilizing our skills and abilities to overcome challenges and improve our circumstances.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith teaches us the importance of maintaining our dignity and self-reliance, while seeking help from Allah. It reminds us to avoid openly displaying our neediness, as it can lead to a mindset of dependency and a cycle of poverty. May Allah grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives.