لَمْ يَضَعِ اِمْرُءٌ مالَهُ في غَيْرِ حَقِّهِ أوْ مَعْرُوفَهُ في غَيْرِ أهْلِهِ إلاّ حَرَمَهُ اللّهُ شُكْرَهُمْ وَكانَ لِغَيْرِهِ وُدَّهُمْ۔
A person does not give his wealth to the one who has no right to it, or his favour to one who is not deserving of it, but that Allah deprives him of their gratefulness and their love, too, would be for others.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: Wealth And Riches)
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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.
The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of giving wealth and favors to those who are deserving of them. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, teaches us that it is not appropriate to give our wealth or favors to those who have no right to them or are undeserving. He states that when one does so, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) deprives them of the gratefulness of those who receive the wealth or favor, and their love would be directed towards others.
Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words and concepts it contains. The word (haqqihi) "حَقِّهِ" refers to the right or entitlement that someone has over something. It signifies that there are certain individuals who have a legitimate claim to our wealth or favors. On the other hand, the word (ghayri) "غَيْرِ" means "other than" or "someone else." It implies that giving our wealth or favors to those who do not have a right to them would be unjust and inappropriate.
To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 267:
O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
This verse highlights the importance of spending from our wealth in a righteous manner, giving preference to what is good and pure. It emphasizes the need to avoid spending on things that are defective or unworthy.
Another verse that sheds light on the concept mentioned in the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Isra, verse 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 Allah's guidance and support in all our affairs, including the way we spend our wealth and bestow our favors. It reminds us to ask Allah for the ability to make wise decisions and to ensure that our actions are in accordance with His will.
The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for us as Muslims to be mindful of how we distribute our wealth and favors. It teaches us that giving to those who are undeserving or have no right to our resources can have negative consequences. When we give our wealth or favors to such individuals, they may not appreciate or be grateful for what they receive. Moreover, their love and loyalty may be directed towards others who are more deserving.
Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to be discerning in our actions and to ensure that our generosity is directed towards those who truly deserve it. By doing so, we not only fulfill our obligations as Muslims but also cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation in those who receive our wealth or favors. This, in turn, strengthens the bonds of love and loyalty within our communities and fosters a spirit of mutual support and care.
In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of giving our wealth and favors to those who are deserving. It cautions against distributing our resources to those who have no right to them, as it can lead to ingratitude and the redirection of love and loyalty towards others. As Muslims, it is our duty to be mindful of how we distribute our wealth and favors, seeking Allah's guidance and support in making wise and righteous decisions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and discernment to act in accordance with His will and the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his purified progeny.
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