Hadith #8217

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights an important aspect of wealth and its purpose in Islam. The key words in this Hadith are (ghaniyan) "غَنِياً" which means "rich person" and (malih) "مَالِهِ" which means "his wealth".

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:7):

And what Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the [stranded] traveler - so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you.

This verse emphasizes the importance of wealth being distributed among various categories of people, including the Prophet (ﷺ), his near relatives, orphans, and travelers. It highlights the idea that wealth should not be concentrated solely in the hands of the rich, but rather should be shared with those in need.

Another verse that supports the message of the Hadith is found 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 reminds us to seek sustenance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to recognize that all wealth and sustenance ultimately come from Him. It encourages us to have a balanced approach to wealth, seeking it through lawful means and using it in a responsible and beneficial manner.

Now, let us delve into the connotation of the Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is advising us not to consider someone as truly rich if they do not share their wealth with others. This Hadith challenges our perception of wealth and encourages us to evaluate our own actions and attitudes towards wealth.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is reminding us that wealth is not meant to be hoarded or used solely for personal gain. Rather, it is a blessing from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that should be shared with those in need. True richness lies in the ability to give and contribute to the welfare of others.

By highlighting this aspect, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is teaching us the importance of generosity, compassion, and social responsibility. He is urging us to use our wealth to alleviate the suffering of others, to support charitable causes, and to contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder that wealth is not a measure of one's worth or success in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Rather, true richness is attained through righteousness, piety, and the willingness to share one's blessings with others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true richness is not determined by the amount of wealth one possesses, but rather by the willingness to share that wealth with others. It encourages us to adopt a mindset of generosity, compassion, and social responsibility. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bless us with the ability to be truly rich in the sight of Him by using our wealth for the betterment of humanity.