Hadith #10070

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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,

حُبُّ المالِ يُفْسِدُ المَ آلَ۔

This can be translated as,

Love of wealth corrupts the [final] outcome.

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

The word (hubbu) "حُبُّ" means love or attachment, while (al-maal) "المالِ" refers to wealth or material possessions. The word (yufsidu) "يُفْسِدُ" means to corrupt or spoil, and (al-ma'aala) "المَآلَ" refers to the outcome or result.

This Hadith highlights the detrimental effects of excessive love for wealth and material possessions. It warns us that when our attachment to wealth becomes excessive, it has the potential to corrupt and spoil the final outcome of our lives. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual well-being and the pursuit of righteousness over the accumulation of worldly possessions.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the message of this Hadith. For instance, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And We have certainly created man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.

This verse reminds us of the transient nature of worldly possessions. Just as we were created from a mere drop of fluid and will eventually return to the earth, our attachment to material wealth should not overshadow our ultimate purpose in life. The love of wealth should not corrupt our pursuit of righteousness and our focus on the hereafter.

Another verse that complements this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse reminds us that the pursuit of wealth and worldly possessions can be deceptive. While they may bring temporary pleasure and satisfaction, they are ultimately transient and will fade away. The true success lies in seeking forgiveness from Allah and striving for righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to strike a balance between their material needs and their spiritual growth. It encourages us to prioritize the pursuit of righteousness and the well-being of our souls over the accumulation of wealth. Excessive love for wealth can lead to greed, selfishness, and a neglect of our duties towards Allah and our fellow human beings.

Let us reflect upon this Hadith and strive to detach ourselves from the love of wealth. Instead, let us focus on the pursuit of knowledge, the practice of generosity, and the cultivation of good character. By doing so, we can safeguard our souls and ensure a positive outcome in this life and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and protect us from the corrupting influence of excessive love for wealth.