Hadith #6155

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, "أفْقَرُ النّاسِ الطّامِعُ۔" This can be translated into English as,

The most indigent of people is the coveter.

Let us delve into the essence of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (tāmiʿ) "طامِعُ" in Arabic refers to someone who is greedy, covetous, or desirous of acquiring more than what is necessary or rightful for them. It is a quality that stems from a lack of contentment and gratitude for what Allah has already bestowed upon us. This Hadith highlights the spiritual poverty and destitution that arises from such a mindset.

Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has repeatedly warned us against the vice of greed and covetousness in the Quran. In Surah Al-Hashr (59:9), Allah says,

And those who came after them say, 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.'

This verse reminds us to seek forgiveness and to avoid harboring ill feelings towards those who possess more than us. It teaches us to be content with what we have and to focus on our own spiritual growth rather than being envious of others.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah warns,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking sustenance from Allah alone and not becoming consumed by the desire for material wealth. It reminds us to rely on Allah's provision and to trust in His wisdom and mercy.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their own desires and intentions. It highlights the spiritual poverty that arises from an insatiable desire for more, which can lead to discontentment, envy, and a lack of gratitude. The coveter is never satisfied with what they have, always seeking more and never finding true fulfillment.

This Hadith also teaches us about the importance of contentment and gratitude. Islam encourages us to be grateful for the blessings we have been given and to be content with what Allah has decreed for us. In Surah An-Nahl (16:18), Allah 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 of the countless blessings that Allah has bestowed upon us, both seen and unseen. It encourages us to reflect upon these blessings and to express gratitude to Allah for His infinite mercy.

The consequences of covetousness are far-reaching. It not only leads to spiritual poverty but also affects our relationships with others. When we are constantly desiring what others possess, it breeds envy, resentment, and a lack of empathy. It hinders our ability to appreciate the blessings in our own lives and prevents us from developing a sense of contentment and inner peace.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to cultivate contentment and gratitude in our hearts. We should focus on our own spiritual growth and seek to be pleased with what Allah has decreed for us. By doing so, we can free ourselves from the chains of covetousness and experience true richness and fulfillment in our lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to the path of contentment and gratitude, and protect us from the destructive nature of covetousness. Ameen.