Hadith #1418

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "البخل يُزري بِصاحِبِهِ" which translates to

Stinginess degrades its possessor.

This concise statement holds a profound lesson for all Muslims, emphasizing the negative consequences of being stingy.

To fully understand the implications of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and their meanings. (al-bukhl) "البخل" refers to stinginess or miserliness, which is the act of withholding or being reluctant to give or share one's wealth or resources. (yuzri) "يُزري" means to degrade, humiliate, or bring down. And (bisahibihi) "بِصاحِبِهِ" means its possessor or the one who possesses stinginess.

The Quran provides us with several verses that shed light on the concept of stinginess and its consequences. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the detrimental effects of stinginess and encourages generosity and selflessness. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 267, Allah says,

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 giving from what we have been blessed with and not being selective or stingy in our giving.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hashr, verse 9, Allah states,

And [also for] those who were settled in the Home [i.e., Al-Madinah] and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the virtue of selflessness and generosity, as the early Muslims in Madinah preferred the needs of the emigrants over their own, despite facing their own difficulties.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that stinginess not only harms others but also degrades the person who possesses it. When one is stingy, they become consumed by their own desires and fail to recognize the blessings of sharing and giving. This mindset leads to a degradation of character, as it promotes selfishness, greed, and a lack of empathy towards others.

Stinginess can have far-reaching consequences in both personal and communal spheres. On a personal level, it hinders spiritual growth and prevents the development of noble qualities such as compassion, gratitude, and contentment. It also creates distance between individuals and weakens the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood within the Muslim community. When Muslims are stingy, they fail to fulfill their duty of supporting and assisting one another, which is an essential aspect of Islamic teachings.

Conversely, generosity is highly praised in Islam and is considered a virtuous trait. The Quran encourages Muslims to give in charity and help those in need. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 261, Allah says,

The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.

This verse illustrates the abundance and blessings that come from giving in the cause of Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims of the negative consequences of stinginess. It emphasizes the importance of generosity and selflessness, which are qualities that bring about personal growth, strengthen communal bonds, and earn the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May we all strive to embody the spirit of generosity and avoid the degradation that comes with stinginess.