Hadith #8871

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 pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

بِقَدْرِ القِنْيَةِ يَتَضاعَفُ اَلحُزْنُ والغُمُومُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

To the extent of [one’s] acquisitions, sorrow and grief is multiplied.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (qinyah) "قِنْيَةِ" refers to one's acquisitions or possessions. It encompasses both material wealth and intangible assets such as knowledge, skills, and relationships. (yatada'afu) "يَتَضاعَفُ" means to be multiplied or increased. (huzn) "حُزْنُ" signifies sorrow, while (ghumoom) "غُمُومُ" refers to grief or sadness.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we must turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the transient nature of worldly possessions and the importance of focusing on the eternal life to come. In Surah Al-Taghabun, Allah says, (64:15)

Know that your wealth and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward

This verse reminds us that worldly acquisitions are merely a test and should not be the sole source of our happiness or grief.

Furthermore, the Quran teaches us that true contentment and tranquility lie in the remembrance of Allah and the pursuit of righteousness. Allah says in Surah Ar-Rad, (13:28)

Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah, hearts are assured

This verse highlights the importance of seeking solace in the remembrance of Allah rather than in material possessions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith elucidates the consequences of attaching our happiness and grief to our acquisitions. When we excessively focus on our possessions, whether they be wealth, status, or knowledge, we become vulnerable to increased sorrow and grief. This is because our attachment to these worldly things makes us more susceptible to disappointment, loss, and the fear of losing what we hold dear.

For instance, if a person's happiness is solely dependent on their wealth, they will experience heightened sorrow and grief when faced with financial setbacks or losses. Similarly, if someone's self-worth is tied to their knowledge or academic achievements, they may experience deep sadness and despair if they encounter intellectual challenges or failures.

By highlighting the relationship between acquisitions and sorrow, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges us to detach ourselves from the transient nature of worldly possessions. Instead, we should focus on cultivating a strong connection with Allah and seeking contentment through acts of worship, righteous deeds, and the pursuit of knowledge that benefits humanity.

This Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that true happiness and peace can only be found in the remembrance of Allah and the pursuit of righteousness. It encourages us to prioritize our spiritual growth and moral development over the accumulation of material possessions. By doing so, we can free ourselves from the chains of attachment and experience true contentment and tranquility in this world and the hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that our acquisitions and possessions should not be the sole source of our happiness or grief. By attaching ourselves to worldly things, we expose ourselves to increased sorrow and grief. Instead, we should focus on seeking contentment through the remembrance of Allah and the pursuit of righteousness. May Allah guide us to detach ourselves from the transient nature of this world and grant us true happiness and peace in both our worldly and spiritual endeavors.