Hadith #1438

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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,

لا مُرُوَّةَ مَعَ شُحّ۔

This Hadith can be translated into English as,

There is no magnanimity with avarice.

Let us first understand the key words in this Hadith. "Murawah" refers to generosity, magnanimity, or nobility of character. It encompasses the qualities of being generous, selfless, and open-hearted. "Shuh" refers to avarice or greed, which is the opposite of generosity. It is the desire to possess and accumulate wealth or material possessions at the expense of others.

To further comprehend the essence of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of generosity and condemns greed and stinginess.

In Surah Al-Hashr (59:9), Allah says,

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 the Ansar (the residents of Madinah) who welcomed and supported the Muhajirun (the emigrants from Makkah) with open hearts and selflessness. They preferred the needs of others over their own, despite their own hardships. This exemplifies the concept of "murawah" - the magnanimity and generosity that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) spoke of in the Hadith.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267), 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 encourages Muslims to spend from their wealth and provisions in the way of Allah, but it also warns against being miserly or stingy in one's giving. Allah reminds us that He is not in need of our wealth, but rather, it is a test for us to see if we are willing to part with our possessions for the sake of others. This verse emphasizes the importance of being generous and not allowing greed or avarice to hinder our acts of charity.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, reminds us in this Hadith that true magnanimity and generosity cannot coexist with greed and avarice. When one is consumed by the desire for material wealth and possessions, they become blinded to the needs of others and are unable to display true acts of generosity.

The consequences of embracing avarice are detrimental not only to individuals but also to society as a whole. Greed leads to a lack of empathy, compassion, and fairness. It creates an imbalance in the distribution of resources and perpetuates social and economic disparities. On the other hand, magnanimity and generosity foster unity, harmony, and justice within society.

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are reminded to cultivate a spirit of generosity and selflessness in their lives. We should strive to be like the Ansar, who placed the needs of others above their own. By doing so, we not only fulfill our duty towards our fellow human beings but also attain spiritual growth and closeness to Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true magnanimity and generosity cannot coexist with avarice and greed. It is through acts of selflessness and open-heartedness that we can truly embody the noble qualities of character that Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) have taught us. May Allah guide us all to be generous and compassionate Muslims who strive for the betterment of society.