Hadith #2088

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, and the righteous successors.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "ثَمَرَةُ الحِرْصِ النَّصَبُ۔" This can be translated into English as,

The fruit of greed is anguish.

Let us first delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. (thamara) "ثَمَرَةُ" refers to the fruit or consequence, while (al-hirs) "الحِرْصِ" means greed or covetousness. Lastly, (an-nasab) "النَّصَبُ" can be understood as anguish or distress.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against the destructive nature of greed in several verses. In Surah Al-Imran, Allah says, (Quran 63:9)

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers.

This verse highlights the detrimental consequences of greed. When we become excessively attached to worldly possessions and desires, we risk losing sight of our true purpose in life, which is to worship and remember Allah. Greed can distract us from fulfilling our spiritual obligations and lead us astray from the path of righteousness.

Furthermore, in Surah At-Takathur, Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns, (Quran 102:1-2)

Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you until you visit the graves.

This verse emphasizes how the pursuit of material wealth and possessions can consume us to the point where we neglect our spiritual duties. It reminds us that in the end, all worldly gains will be left behind and what truly matters is our relationship with Allah.

Now, let us reflect on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses. The fruit of greed being anguish signifies that the consequences of excessive desire for wealth and worldly possessions are not only temporary, but also bring about distress and unease. When we are driven by greed, we become trapped in a cycle of insatiable desires, always seeking more and never finding contentment.

Greed can lead to a multitude of negative outcomes. It can strain relationships, as we prioritize our own interests over the well-being of others. It can also lead to unethical behavior, as we become willing to compromise our values in order to acquire more wealth. Moreover, greed can cause us to neglect our spiritual growth, as we become preoccupied with accumulating material possessions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound wisdom and knowledge, reminds us of the inherent dangers of greed. By highlighting the anguish that accompanies it, he urges us to strive for contentment and moderation in our pursuit of worldly possessions. True happiness and fulfillment lie not in amassing wealth, but in seeking the pleasure of Allah and nurturing our spiritual well-being.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the destructive nature of greed. It teaches us to prioritize our spiritual growth and well-being over the pursuit of material wealth. By seeking contentment in what Allah has blessed us with and being mindful of the consequences of excessive desire, we can strive to lead a balanced and fulfilling life. May Allah guide us away from the path of greed and grant us the wisdom to seek His pleasure above all else.