Hadith #8221

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "أغْناكُمْ أقْنَعُكُمْ۔" This can be translated into English as,

The richest of you are the most contented among you.

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

The word (aghna) "أغْنَى" in the Hadith refers to being rich or wealthy. It signifies having an abundance of material possessions, wealth, or resources. On the other hand, the word (aqna'u) "أقْنَعُ" means to be contented, satisfied, or self-sufficient. It implies a state of inner peace and tranquility, regardless of one's material possessions.

This Hadith emphasizes that true richness lies not in the accumulation of wealth, but in the contentment of the heart. It teaches us that the measure of true wealth is not the abundance of material possessions, but rather the state of satisfaction and contentment within oneself. This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

(Quran 64:16)

And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the importance of overcoming the greed and stinginess of the soul. It reminds us that true success lies in being content with what Allah has blessed us with, rather than constantly striving for more material possessions.

Furthermore, the Quran teaches us that contentment is a quality highly esteemed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). In Surah Al-Fajr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the righteous as those who are content with what they have been given:

(Quran 89:15-26)

And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, 'My Lord has honored me.' But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, 'My Lord has humiliated me.' No! But you do not honor the orphan. And you do not encourage one another to feed the poor. And you consume inheritance, devouring [it] altogether. And you love wealth with immense love. No! When the earth has been leveled - pounded and crushed - and your Lord has come and the angels, rank upon rank, and brought [within view], that Day, is Hell - that Day, man will remember, but what good to him will be the remembrance? He will say, 'Oh, I wish I had sent ahead [some good] for my life.' So on that Day, none will punish [as severely] as His punishment, and none will bind [as severely] as His binding [of the evildoers].

This passage serves as a powerful reminder that our true honor and success lie in our actions towards others, especially those in need. It warns us against the love of wealth and the neglect of our responsibilities towards the less fortunate. It highlights the consequences of being attached to material possessions and failing to prioritize acts of charity and compassion.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith urges us to reflect upon the true meaning of wealth and contentment. It encourages us to shift our focus from the pursuit of material possessions to the cultivation of inner peace and satisfaction. When we are content with what Allah has blessed us with, we free ourselves from the constant desire for more and find solace in the present moment.

By embodying the spirit of contentment, we not only attain true richness in the sight of Allah, but we also experience a profound sense of gratitude and tranquility in our lives. We learn to appreciate the blessings we have been bestowed with, and we become more compassionate towards those who are less fortunate.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true richness lies in contentment, not in the accumulation of material possessions. It reminds us to prioritize inner peace and satisfaction over the pursuit of worldly wealth. By embodying the spirit of contentment, we can attain true richness in the sight of Allah and experience a profound sense of gratitude and tranquility in our lives. May Allah guide us all to be among those who are contented and blessed.