Hadith #8870

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

اِطِّراحُ الكُلَفِ أشْرَفُ قِنْيَة۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

The discarding of hardships [one endures for attaining worldly gain] is the best of acquisitions.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (ittirāḥ) "اِطِّراحُ" means to discard or abandon. It refers to the act of willingly letting go of the burdens and difficulties that one faces in the pursuit of worldly gains. The word (al-kulaf) "الكُلَفِ" refers to the hardships or burdens that one may endure in order to achieve material success or wealth. And finally, the word (ashraf) "أشْرَفُ" means the most noble or honorable, indicating that the act of discarding these hardships is highly virtuous and praiseworthy.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 286, (Quran 2:286)

Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear...

This verse reminds us that Allah, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, does not place upon us burdens that are beyond our capacity to bear. Therefore, when we willingly discard the hardships we face in the pursuit of worldly gains, we are aligning ourselves with the divine decree and showing our trust in Allah's wisdom.

Furthermore, the Quran emphasizes the transient nature of worldly possessions and the importance of focusing on the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. In Surah Al-Kahf, verse 46, Allah says, (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 reminds us that while wealth and worldly acquisitions may provide temporary pleasure, it is the enduring good deeds that hold true value in the sight of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith encourages us to prioritize the acquisition of spiritual virtues and the pursuit of righteousness over the accumulation of worldly possessions. By willingly discarding the hardships and difficulties that may arise in our pursuit of worldly gains, we are freeing ourselves from the distractions and attachments that can hinder our spiritual growth.

This Hadith serves as a reminder that true success lies not in the accumulation of material wealth, but rather in the acquisition of virtues such as patience, contentment, and gratitude. When we let go of the burdens and hardships that come with the pursuit of worldly gains, we are able to focus more fully on our spiritual development and the attainment of eternal rewards.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the virtue of willingly discarding the hardships we face in the pursuit of worldly gains. By doing so, we align ourselves with Allah's wisdom, prioritize the acquisition of spiritual virtues, and recognize the transient nature of worldly possessions. May Allah guide us to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the strength to let go of the burdens that hinder our spiritual growth.