Hadith #10623

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

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

قَلِيلٌ لَكَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ كَثير لِغَيْرِكَ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

Little that belongs to you is better than plenty that belongs to others.

In this impactful saying , Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of contentment and gratitude. He reminds us that having a small amount that is rightfully ours is far superior to having an abundance that belongs to others. This Hadith encourages us to appreciate and be satisfied with what we have, rather than constantly desiring what others possess.

The concept of contentment and gratitude is emphasized in the Quran as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:152),

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.

This verse reminds us to be grateful to Allah for the blessings He has bestowed upon us. It teaches us that true happiness and contentment can be found in recognizing and appreciating the favors of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Nahl (16:18), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse reminds us that the blessings of Allah are countless and immeasurable. It encourages us to focus on the blessings we have been given, rather than comparing ourselves to others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement also highlights the importance of self-sufficiency and independence. It encourages us to strive for self-reliance and to be content with what we have earned through our own efforts. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Najm (53:39),

And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives.

This verse emphasizes the importance of personal effort and the principle of reaping what we sow.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder to avoid envy and jealousy. It teaches us to be content with our own blessings and not to covet what others possess. Envy is condemned in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Qalam (68:17),

Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning.

This verse refers to the story of the people of the garden who were envious of the garden of others, leading to their downfall. It serves as a warning against the destructive nature of envy and the importance of being content with what we have.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the valuable lesson of contentment, gratitude, self-sufficiency, and avoiding envy. It reminds us to appreciate the blessings we have been given by Allah and to be content with what is rightfully ours. By embodying these principles, we can find true happiness and fulfillment in this world and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives.