Hadith #3741

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 righteous companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

حُبُّ الدُّنْيا يُوجِبُ الطَّمَعَ۔

This can be translated as,

Love of this world gives rise to avarice.

In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the negative consequence of excessive attachment to worldly possessions and desires.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us first explore the key words used. "حُبُّ الدُّنْيا" refers to the love or attachment to the material aspects of this world. "يُوجِبُ" means to give rise to or cause. And "الطَّمَعَ" refers to avarice or greed.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the dangers of becoming too attached to worldly possessions. In Surah Al-Imran, Allah says, (Quran 3:14)

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

This verse emphasizes that the love and attachment to worldly possessions can distract us from the true purpose of our existence, which is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure. It highlights the temporary nature of worldly pleasures and reminds us that the true and everlasting reward lies with Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith further expands on this concept by stating that excessive love for this world leads to avarice. Avarice is the insatiable desire for more and more wealth and possessions, without considering the needs of others or the consequences of our actions. It is a destructive trait that can lead to selfishness, injustice, and a disregard for the rights of others.

The Quran also warns against the negative consequences of avarice. In Surah Al-Hashr, Allah 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 highlights the punishment that awaits those who hoard their wealth and refuse to spend it in the way of Allah and for the betterment of society. It reminds us that the wealth and possessions we accumulate in this world will be of no benefit to us in the Hereafter if they were acquired through greed and avarice.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is known for his profound knowledge and wisdom. His statement in this Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual well-being over worldly desires. By recognizing the transient nature of this world and the importance of seeking the pleasure of Allah, we can guard ourselves against the destructive effects of avarice.

Excessive love for this world can lead to a never-ending pursuit of material possessions, causing us to neglect our duties towards Allah and our fellow human beings. It can also blind us to the true purpose of our existence and prevent us from attaining true happiness and contentment.

Therefore, as Muslims, we should strive to strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual obligations. We should seek the blessings of this world within the boundaries set by Allah, and use our wealth and resources to benefit ourselves and others. By doing so, we can avoid falling into the trap of avarice and ensure that our love for this world does not overshadow our love for Allah and His commandments.

May Allah guide us all to the straight path and protect us from the destructive consequences of excessive love for this world. Ameen.