Hadith #10912

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the 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,

مَنْ لَمْ يُصْلِحْهُ الوَرَعُ أفْسَدَهُ الطَّمَعُ۔

which translates to

One who is not reformed by piety is corrupted by avarice.

This enlightening Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of piety in safeguarding one's character and actions from the destructive influence of greed and selfish desires.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (warā') "وَرَعُ" refers to piety, righteousness, and the fear of Allah. It encompasses a sense of consciousness and awareness of one's actions, ensuring they align with the teachings of Islam. The word (ṭamā') "طَمَعُ" refers to avarice, greed, and an insatiable desire for worldly possessions or power.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the significance of piety and warns against the destructive nature of greed. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (2:45)

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]

This verse highlights the importance of piety as a means of seeking assistance and guidance from Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Humazah, Allah describes the consequences of avarice and greed, stating, (104:1-4)

Woe to every scorner and mocker, who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher

This serves as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of greed and the ultimate consequences it leads to.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith draws our attention to the fact that if one's heart is not reformed by piety and the fear of Allah, then it becomes susceptible to the corrupting influence of avarice. When a person lacks piety, they become driven by their desires and are willing to compromise their morals and principles in pursuit of worldly gains. This corruption can manifest in various forms, such as dishonesty, exploitation, and neglect of one's duties towards Allah and fellow human beings.

For example, a person who is not reformed by piety may engage in fraudulent business practices, exploiting others for personal gain. They may neglect their obligations towards their family, community, and society, as their primary focus becomes accumulating wealth and satisfying their own desires. This corruption not only harms the individual but also has a detrimental impact on the wider society, leading to injustice, inequality, and a breakdown of moral values.

On the other hand, when a person is guided by piety, they are motivated by a deep sense of devotion to Allah and a desire to please Him. They prioritize righteousness and integrity in their actions, seeking to benefit others and contribute positively to society. Piety acts as a shield, protecting them from the allure of greed and ensuring that their actions are aligned with the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of piety in safeguarding our character and actions from the corrupting influence of greed. By cultivating piety and the fear of Allah in our hearts, we can protect ourselves from falling into the trap of avarice and ensure that our actions are guided by righteousness and integrity. May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to uphold piety in all aspects of our lives.