Hadith #10111

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his progeny, and his companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

لاتَجْتَمِعُ حُبُّ المالِ والثَناءُ۔

This can be translated as:

Love of wealth and praise do not go together.

This amazing Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the incompatibility of two common human desires - the love of wealth and the love of praise.

Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. The word (hubbu) "حُبُّ" refers to love or affection. (al-mal) "المالِ" means wealth or material possessions. And (ath-thana') "الثَناءُ" signifies praise or admiration.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Imran, verse 14: (Quran 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 love of wealth and material possessions can easily consume our hearts and distract us from the true purpose of our existence. The pursuit of wealth can lead to greed, selfishness, and a neglect of our spiritual and moral obligations. It can blind us to the needs of others and prevent us from seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Similarly, the Quran warns against seeking praise and admiration from others. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 264, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says: (Quran 2:264)

O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day.

This verse cautions us against performing acts of charity or any good deeds solely for the purpose of receiving praise and recognition from others. Seeking validation from people rather than seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) can corrupt our intentions and diminish the sincerity of our actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that the love of wealth and praise are incompatible with the teachings of Islam. The pursuit of material possessions and the desire for recognition can lead us astray from the path of righteousness and hinder our spiritual growth.

When we prioritize the accumulation of wealth and seek praise from others, we may compromise our values and engage in unethical practices. We may become consumed by the pursuit of worldly success, neglecting our duties towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and our fellow human beings.

On the other hand, when we detach ourselves from the love of wealth and praise, we free ourselves from the shackles of materialism and ego. We become more focused on fulfilling our responsibilities as Muslims and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Our actions become driven by sincerity and the desire to do good for the sake of Allah alone.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual well-being over worldly desires. The love of wealth and praise can lead us away from the path of righteousness and hinder our journey towards attaining the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By recognizing the incompatibility of these two loves, we can strive to detach ourselves from their allure and focus on seeking the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the straight path and protect us from the distractions of this world.