Hadith #4400

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, and his noble companions.

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

الرِّزقُ مَقْسُومٌ، الحَريصُ مَحْرُومٌ۔

This Hadith emphasizes two important concepts: the apportionment of sustenance and the deprivation of the greedy.

Let us first delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. "الرِّزقُ" refers to sustenance, which encompasses all forms of provisions and blessings that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bestows upon His creation. "مَقْسُومٌ" means that sustenance has been divided and allocated by Allah according to His divine wisdom and decree. This implies that every individual's share of sustenance has already been predetermined by Allah, and it is distributed accordingly.

The second part of the Hadith states, "الحَريصُ مَحْرُومٌ۔" Here, "الحَريصُ" refers to the one who is excessively greedy, desiring more than their rightful share of sustenance. Such a person is "مَحْرُومٌ", meaning they will be deprived of what they seek beyond their allotted portion.

This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the concept of sustenance being predestined and apportioned by Allah. In Surah Al-Hijr (15:21), Allah says,

And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register.

This verse highlights that Allah is the ultimate provider, and He has knowledge of the needs and provisions of every living being.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:59), Allah states,

And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.

This verse emphasizes that Allah's knowledge encompasses every aspect of creation, including the provisions and sustenance that are hidden from our sight.

Reflecting upon the Hadith, we understand that it serves as a reminder to Muslims that they should not be consumed by excessive greed and desire for more than what has been allocated to them by Allah. It teaches us to be content with our portion of sustenance and to trust in Allah's divine wisdom and decree.

The consequences of disregarding this guidance are manifold. The greedy individual who seeks to accumulate wealth beyond their rightful share may resort to unethical means, such as exploitation, fraud, or oppression. This not only leads to harm for others but also invites divine displeasure and punishment.

On the other hand, those who are content with their allotted sustenance and are grateful to Allah for what they have, exhibit a sense of trust and reliance on Him. They understand that their provisions are in the hands of the Most Merciful, and they strive to use their blessings in a manner that pleases Allah and benefits society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be content with their apportioned sustenance and to avoid excessive greed. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize that Allah is the ultimate provider and that sustenance has been predetermined and allocated by Him. By adhering to this guidance, Muslims can cultivate a sense of gratitude, trust, and ethical conduct in their pursuit of sustenance, leading to a balanced and righteous way of life. May Allah guide us all to follow the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us contentment and blessings in our provisions.