Hadith #1469

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

A miser is rebuked in this world, and punished and chastised in the Hereafter.

This Hadith highlights the negative consequences of being stingy and miserly in both this worldly life and the Hereafter.

The word used in the Hadith to describe a miser is (al-bakhil) "الباخِلُ". Al-bakhil refers to someone who is excessively stingy and unwilling to spend their wealth for the sake of Allah and for the benefit of others. This characteristic is condemned in Islam as it goes against the principles of generosity and compassion that are emphasized in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the miserly behavior in several verses of the Quran. In Surah Al-Isra, Allah says, (Quran 17:29)

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.

This verse highlights the negative consequences of being miserly and not spending in the way of Allah. It is a form of self-imprisonment that leads to blame and financial difficulties.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 57:18)

Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.

This verse emphasizes the importance of generosity and spending in the way of Allah. It promises a multiplied reward and a noble reward for those who give willingly and generously.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that the consequences of being miserly extend beyond this worldly life. While a miser may face social criticism and rebuke in this world, their punishment and chastisement in the Hereafter will be even more severe. The Hereafter is a realm of eternal consequences, where every action is accounted for and rewarded or punished accordingly.

The miser's punishment in the Hereafter can be understood in light of various Quranic verses. In Surah Al-Tawbah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 3:180)

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 indicates that the miser's wealth, which they hoarded and withheld in this world, will become a source of punishment and regret for them in the Hereafter.

Moreover, in Surah Al-Imran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns, (Quran 4:10)

Indeed, those who consume the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a Blaze.

This verse highlights the severe punishment that awaits those who withhold wealth and resources that rightfully belong to others. The miser's refusal to spend and help those in need will result in their own destruction and torment.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be generous and charitable in this world. It encourages us to spend our wealth for the sake of Allah, to help those in need, and to contribute to the betterment of society. By doing so, we not only earn the pleasure of Allah and the reward in the Hereafter, but we also experience the blessings and contentment that come with generosity and selflessness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns against the negative consequences of being miserly in this world and the Hereafter. It emphasizes the importance of generosity and spending in the way of Allah, as highlighted in the Quran. May Allah guide us to be generous and compassionate, and protect us from the characteristics of stinginess and miserliness.