Hadith #9285

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 righteous companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Being pleased with what is sufficient is better than striving for lavishness.

This Hadith emphasizes the virtue of contentment and moderation in one's desires and ambitions. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (rida) "رِضَا" in Arabic means contentment or satisfaction. It refers to being pleased and accepting of what is sufficient or satisfactory. The word (kafaaf) "كَفَاف" means sufficiency or adequacy. It signifies having enough to meet one's needs without excessive indulgence or extravagance. On the other hand, the word (sai) "سَعْي" means striving or exerting effort, and (israf) "إسْرَاف" means wastefulness or excessiveness.

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of contentment and moderation. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 168:

O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

This verse encourages Muslims to be content with what is lawful and good, rather than being enticed by the temptations of Satan.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 31, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against extravagance and wastefulness:

O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.

This verse reminds Muslims to avoid excessive indulgence and to be mindful of their consumption.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that being content with what is sufficient is better than striving for lavishness. It encourages us to find contentment in what we have, rather than constantly seeking more. This does not mean that we should not strive for improvement or success, but rather that we should be satisfied with what is necessary and beneficial.

By being content with what is sufficient, we can avoid the pitfalls of greed, envy, and materialism. It allows us to focus on the blessings and provisions that Allah has bestowed upon us, rather than constantly yearning for more. Contentment brings inner peace and tranquility, as it frees us from the constant pursuit of worldly desires.

Moreover, being content with what is sufficient enables us to prioritize our efforts and resources towards more meaningful pursuits. It allows us to invest our time and energy in acts of worship, seeking knowledge, helping others, and building strong relationships. By avoiding excessive indulgence, we can lead a balanced and purposeful life that is pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the virtue of contentment and moderation. It urges us to be pleased with what is sufficient and to avoid striving for lavishness. By finding contentment in what we have, we can attain inner peace, prioritize meaningful pursuits, and lead a balanced and purposeful life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to embody the teachings of this Hadith in our lives.