Hadith #2094

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

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

عَبْدُ الحِْرصِ مُخَلَّدُ الشِّقاءِ۔

This can be translated as,

The slave of greed is eternally wretched.

In this enlightening saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the destructive nature of greed and its consequences.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. "عَبْدُ الحِْرصِ" refers to the slave or servant of greed. Greed, or "حَرَص" in Arabic, is an insatiable desire for wealth, power, or possessions. It is a negative trait that consumes a person's heart and soul, leading them to prioritize their own desires over the well-being of others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes the outcome of being a slave to greed as "مُخَلَّدُ الشِّقاءِ," which means eternally wretched. This implies that those who allow themselves to be controlled by greed will suffer everlasting misery and unhappiness. Their insatiable desires will never be fulfilled, and they will constantly be in a state of dissatisfaction and discontentment.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the dangers of greed and the importance of contentment. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Hashr (59:9),

And those who, before them, had homes [in Medina] and had adopted the faith, love those who emigrate to them, and find no need in their breasts for what they have been given, but prefer them above themselves, even though they themselves are in privation.

This verse highlights the virtue of selflessness and the importance of not being attached to worldly possessions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:96), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And you will surely find them the most greedy of people for life - [even] more than those who associate others with Allah. One of them wishes that he could be granted life a thousand years, but it would not remove him in the least from the [coming] punishment that he should be granted life.

This verse warns us about the destructive nature of greed and how it blinds individuals from the reality of the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their own intentions and desires. It urges us to strive for contentment and to be mindful of the negative consequences of greed. When we become slaves to our desires, we lose sight of our purpose in this world, which is to worship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to serve humanity.

Greed leads to a multitude of sins, such as dishonesty, exploitation, and neglect of the less fortunate. It destroys relationships, breeds envy and jealousy, and creates a constant state of restlessness. By freeing ourselves from the chains of greed, we can attain true happiness and fulfillment. We should strive to cultivate qualities such as generosity, gratitude, and contentment, as these are the virtues that bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and lead to a life of tranquility and peace.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the destructive nature of greed. It encourages us to reflect upon our intentions and desires, and to strive for contentment and selflessness. By freeing ourselves from the chains of greed, we can attain true happiness and fulfillment in this life and the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to the path of righteousness and protect us from the perils of greed.