Hadith #5201

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

The voracious one will never be seen happy.

This Hadith highlights the consequences of a person's insatiable greed and desire for more, emphasizing that such individuals will never find true contentment or happiness in their lives.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. The word (sharah) "شَّرَهُ" refers to someone who is voracious, greedy, and insatiable in their desires. This person is constantly seeking more, never satisfied with what they have. The word (radiyan) "راضِياً" means happy, content, or pleased. It signifies a state of inner satisfaction and tranquility.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly warns against the destructive nature of greed and the pursuit of worldly desires. 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 of the importance of seeking forgiveness and purifying our hearts from any resentment or envy towards others. Greed and jealousy can lead to a constant state of dissatisfaction, preventing us from finding true happiness and contentment.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:96), Allah warns against the insatiable desires of the Children of Israel, 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.

This verse serves as a reminder that excessive greed and desire for worldly possessions can blind us from the true purpose of life and lead us astray. No matter how much we accumulate, it will never bring us lasting happiness or protect us from the consequences of our actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reflects the wisdom and knowledge he possessed. He understood the detrimental effects of insatiable greed and the pursuit of worldly desires. The voracious individual, consumed by their insatiable desires, will never experience true happiness or contentment. Their constant craving for more will always leave them unsatisfied and restless.

This Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to seek moderation in their desires and to focus on the pursuit of spiritual growth and contentment. It encourages us to detach ourselves from the materialistic world and find true happiness in the remembrance of Allah, the fulfillment of our duties towards Him, and the service of humanity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of insatiable greed and the pursuit of worldly desires. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek contentment and happiness through spiritual growth and detachment from materialistic pursuits. May Allah guide us all to the path of moderation and contentment, and protect us from the destructive nature of greed.