Hadith #1452

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due 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.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) expresses his astonishment at the behavior of a wretched miser. The Imam observes that this person hastens towards poverty, which is trying to escape him, while at the same time, he neglects the wealth that is seeking him. As a result, he ends up living a life of poverty in this world and will be held accountable in the Hereafter as if he were wealthy.

To fully comprehend the depth of this hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. The term (wretched) "شَّقِيِّ" refers to someone who is unfortunate and miserable. The word (miser) "بَخِيلِ" denotes a person who is excessively stingy and reluctant to spend, even when they possess wealth. The verb (rushes) "يَتَعَجَّلُ" signifies the act of hastening or rushing towards something. (poverty) "الفَقْرَ" refers to a state of lacking material resources, while (wealth) "الغِنى" denotes an abundance of worldly possessions. The phrase (life of poverty) "عَيْشَ الفُقَراءِ" refers to a lifestyle characterized by scarcity and deprivation.

To understand the wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) amazement, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of generosity and spending in His book. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (2:274)

Those who spend their wealth [in Allah's cause] by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve

This verse highlights the significance of spending in the path of Allah, as it brings about both worldly and spiritual benefits.

Furthermore, the Quran encourages believers to seek wealth through lawful means and to utilize it for the betterment of society. In Surah Al-Isra, Allah says, (17:29)

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent

This verse cautions against both extreme miserliness and excessive spending, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced approach towards wealth.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) amazement at the behavior of the wretched miser stems from the fact that this individual fails to understand the true purpose of wealth. Instead of utilizing his wealth to improve his own life and the lives of others, he clings onto it tightly, fearing its loss. In doing so, he not only deprives himself of the blessings and rewards that come with spending in the path of Allah, but he also misses out on the opportunities for growth and prosperity that wealth can bring.

Moreover, the Imam highlights the irony of the miser's situation. While he anxiously pursues poverty, which is fleeing from him, he neglects the wealth that is seeking him. This can be understood as a metaphorical representation of the opportunities for financial growth and success that come his way, but he fails to recognize and seize them due to his miserly nature. Consequently, he remains trapped in a perpetual state of poverty, both in this world and in the Hereafter.

This hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to adopt a balanced approach towards wealth. It calls us to reflect upon our own attitudes and behaviors regarding money and possessions. Are we utilizing our wealth in a manner that aligns with the teachings of Islam? Are we being generous and charitable, or are we clinging onto our wealth out of fear and greed?

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) amazement at the wretched miser serves as a motivation for us to strive towards a more generous and selfless lifestyle. By spending in the path of Allah and using our wealth to benefit others, we not only fulfill our obligations as Muslims but also pave the way for our own success and prosperity in this world and the Hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand the true value of wealth and the generosity to spend it in His cause. May He protect us from the pitfalls of miserliness and guide us towards a life of abundance and blessings. Ameen.