Hadith #10953

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

الْوَرَعُ خَيْرٌ مِنْ ذُلِّ الطَّمَعِ

which translates to

Piety is better than the disgrace of avarice.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith.

1. الْوَرَعُ (Al-Wara'): It refers to piety, righteousness, and the act of abstaining from anything that may displease Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encompasses a deep sense of God-consciousness and a commitment to follow the teachings of Islam.

2. ذُلِّ (Dhull): It means disgrace, humiliation, or degradation. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to the negative consequences and moral degradation that arise from being consumed by avarice or greed.

3. الطَّمَعِ (At-Tama'): It signifies avarice, greed, or an insatiable desire for wealth, possessions, or power. It is a quality that leads individuals to prioritize their own materialistic desires over the well-being of others and the pursuit of righteousness.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of piety and warns against the perils of avarice.

In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah says,

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse highlights that true nobility and superiority lie in righteousness and piety, not in wealth, lineage, or worldly possessions. It reminds Muslims that their worth is determined by their devotion to Allah and their adherence to His commands, rather than their materialistic pursuits.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah warns against the destructive nature of avarice, saying,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power. And say: Truth hath come and falsehood hath vanished away. Lo! falsehood is ever bound to vanish.

This verse highlights the transitory nature of worldly desires and the importance of seeking sustenance and strength from Allah. It emphasizes the need to prioritize spiritual well-being over materialistic pursuits, as the pursuit of truth and righteousness leads to eternal success while falsehood and avarice are destined to perish.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the inherent superiority of piety over avarice. It encourages individuals to prioritize their relationship with Allah and to strive for righteousness, rather than being consumed by the insatiable desire for wealth and worldly possessions.

By choosing piety over avarice, Muslims can attain a sense of inner peace, contentment, and spiritual fulfillment. They can free themselves from the shackles of materialism and focus on the pursuit of eternal success in the hereafter.

Moreover, this Hadith also highlights the exemplary knowledge and wisdom of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). His profound understanding of the Quranic teachings allowed him to articulate this timeless message, guiding Muslims towards a path of righteousness and away from the pitfalls of greed and moral degradation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds Muslims of the importance of prioritizing piety over avarice. It urges individuals to seek spiritual fulfillment and righteousness, rather than being consumed by materialistic desires. By following this guidance, Muslims can attain true nobility and success in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to embody the teachings of this Hadith in our lives.