Hadith #2115

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous successors who followed in their footsteps.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "الحريص تعب" which translates to

The greedy one is [always] weary.

In this amazing Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the negative consequences of greed and warns Muslims against its detrimental effects on both the individual and society as a whole.

To fully understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (al-harees) "الحريص" refers to someone who is excessively eager or greedy, constantly seeking to acquire more wealth, power, or possessions. This person is never satisfied with what they have and is always striving for more, often at the expense of others. The word (ta'ab) "تعب" means weary or tired, indicating that the greedy individual will ultimately exhaust themselves in their relentless pursuit of worldly gains.

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

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 highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness and avoiding resentment towards others, which is often fueled by greed and envy.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:96), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the destructive nature of greed by saying,

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. And Allah is Seeing of what they do.

This verse emphasizes that the greedy individuals are so consumed by their desires for worldly possessions that they become oblivious to the consequences of their actions and the punishment that awaits them.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the dangers of greed and the importance of contentment. The greedy individual, constantly chasing after material possessions, will find themselves in a perpetual state of weariness. Their insatiable desire for more will lead to exhaustion, both physically and spiritually. This exhaustion can manifest in various ways, such as strained relationships, neglect of one's duties, and a loss of focus on the true purpose of life.

Moreover, the Hadith encourages Muslims to cultivate contentment and gratitude for what they have been blessed with. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:14),

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

This verse reminds us that the true enjoyment and fulfillment in life come from seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and not from the accumulation of worldly possessions.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the destructive nature of greed. By constantly seeking more and never being satisfied, the greedy individual will find themselves in a state of weariness and exhaustion. The Quranic verses mentioned further emphasize the negative consequences of greed and the importance of contentment and gratitude. Muslims should strive to cultivate contentment in their hearts, focusing on the eternal rewards of the Hereafter rather than the temporary pleasures of this world. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the dangers of greed and grant us the ability to be content with what He has blessed us with.