Hadith #6148

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ مَلَكَهُ الطَّمَعُ ذَلَّ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is possessed by covetousness is humiliated.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the negative consequences of being consumed by greed and avarice.

Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. "مَلَكَهُ" refers to being possessed or controlled by something, in this case, "الطَّمَعُ" which means covetousness or greed. Covetousness is the intense desire to possess something that belongs to someone else, whether it be wealth, power, or material possessions. It is a destructive trait that can lead to various forms of humiliation and degradation.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the perils of greed and the consequences it brings. In Surah Al-Hashr (59:9), Allah says,

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 reminds us to seek forgiveness and to avoid harboring resentment towards others, which can be a manifestation of covetousness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran (3:180), Allah says,

And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection.

This verse emphasizes that those who hoard their wealth and withhold it from others out of greed will face severe consequences in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the destructive nature of covetousness. When one becomes possessed by greed, they lose sight of their moral values and become willing to compromise their integrity for personal gain. This can lead to humiliation and degradation in both this world and the Hereafter.

The consequences of covetousness can be seen in various aspects of life. In the pursuit of wealth, individuals may resort to unethical means such as fraud, exploitation, or oppression. This not only harms others but also tarnishes one's own character and reputation. Moreover, the insatiable desire for more can lead to a constant state of dissatisfaction and restlessness, preventing individuals from finding true contentment and peace.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful saying serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for moderation and contentment. It encourages us to be grateful for the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to be mindful of the needs of others. By cultivating a sense of selflessness and generosity, we can overcome the destructive nature of covetousness and attain true honor and dignity.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith warns Muslims about the negative consequences of being possessed by covetousness. It reminds us to be mindful of our desires and to strive for moderation and contentment. By avoiding greed and embracing generosity, we can uphold our moral values and attain true honor and dignity in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and protect us from the destructive traits of covetousness.