Hadith #10096

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:

لَمْ يَضَعْ مِنْ مالِكَ ما قَضى فَرْضَكَ۔

This can be translated into English as:

That part of your wealth which is used to fulfil your obligations has not been lost.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith in light of the Quran. Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith:

1. (maalika) "مالِكَ": This word refers to one's wealth or possessions. It encompasses all material possessions that an individual possesses.

2. (qadha) "قَضَى": This word means to fulfill or discharge. It refers to the act of fulfilling one's obligations or responsibilities.

3. (farḍaka) "فَرْضَكَ": This word refers to one's obligatory duties or responsibilities. In the context of this Hadith, it specifically refers to the religious obligations that a Muslim is required to fulfill, such as the payment of Zakat, Sadaqah, and other forms of charity.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find support for the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 177:

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives Zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse emphasizes the importance of giving wealth, despite one's attachment to it, to those in need and fulfilling one's religious obligations, including the payment of Zakat. It highlights that true righteousness lies in fulfilling these obligations sincerely and selflessly.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran, verse 92, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love; and whatever you give, Allah knows it well.

This verse reinforces the idea that true righteousness is achieved by giving from what we love, including our wealth, for the sake of fulfilling our obligations and helping those in need. It emphasizes that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is fully aware of our actions and intentions.

Now, let us reflect on the enlightening message of this Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, reminds us that the portion of our wealth that is used to fulfill our religious obligations is not lost. In fact, it is an investment in our spiritual growth and a means of attaining righteousness.

When we fulfill our obligations, such as paying Zakat and giving charity, we are not losing our wealth, but rather gaining immense spiritual rewards. Our wealth is a trust from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and by using it to fulfill our obligations, we are fulfilling our duty towards Him and His creation.

This Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize their religious obligations and to view their wealth as a means to attain righteousness. It encourages us to be generous and selfless in giving, knowing that our wealth is not lost but rather multiplied in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the profound lesson that fulfilling our obligations with our wealth is not a loss, but rather a means of attaining righteousness and spiritual growth. It reminds us to prioritize our religious duties and to view our wealth as a trust from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May we strive to fulfill our obligations sincerely and selflessly, and may Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) accept our efforts.