Hadith #2117

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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, "الحريص عبد المطامع" which translates to

The greedy person is a slave to [his] desires.

This short but enlightening Hadith highlights the detrimental nature of greed and its consequences on an individual's spiritual and moral well-being.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words used. (al-harīṣ) "الحريص" refers to a person who is excessively eager or greedy, constantly seeking to acquire more and more. (ʿabd) "عبد" means a slave or servant, someone who is subservient to another. And (al-maṭāmiʿ) "المطامع" refers to one's desires, encompassing all the worldly temptations and cravings that can lead a person astray.

This Hadith finds support in the Quranic teachings as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the dangers of greed and its consequences in several verses. For example, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah says,

And We have certainly created man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators. Then indeed, after that you are to die. Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, will be resurrected.

This verse reminds us of our humble origins and the transient nature of this worldly life. It serves as a reminder that our focus should not be solely on accumulating material possessions and satisfying our desires. Instead, we should strive to fulfill our purpose in this life, which is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure.

Another verse that sheds light on the consequences of greed is found in Surah Al-Humazah (104:1-4), where Allah says,

Woe to every scorner and mocker, who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher.

This verse serves as a stark warning against the delusion of the greedy person who believes that their wealth and possessions will grant them eternal life and happiness. In reality, such individuals are spiritually bankrupt, as their obsession with material gain blinds them to the true purpose of life and leads them towards destruction.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the importance of self-control and moderation in our desires. It reminds us that when we allow our desires to control us, we become enslaved to them, losing our freedom and moral compass. Greed can lead to a multitude of sins, such as dishonesty, exploitation, and injustice, all of which are condemned in Islam.

Furthermore, this Hadith encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions. When we prioritize our desires over the well-being of others, we not only harm ourselves but also contribute to the suffering of those around us. Greed breeds selfishness and a lack of empathy, hindering our ability to build harmonious and just societies.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was known for his profound wisdom and knowledge, and this Hadith serves as a testament to his understanding of human nature and the importance of self-discipline. By highlighting the dangers of greed, he reminds us to strive for contentment, gratitude, and detachment from worldly possessions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) "الحريص عبد المطامع" warns us about the perils of greed and its consequences on our spiritual and moral well-being. It urges us to reflect on our desires and strive for self-control and moderation. By doing so, we can free ourselves from the shackles of greed and live a life of contentment, gratitude, and righteousness. May Allah guide us all to the path of moderation and protect us from the destructive influence of greed.