Hadith #5193

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 noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "سِلاحُ الْحِرْصِ الشَّرَهُ۔" This can be translated into English as,

The weapon of avarice is voraciousness.

Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this impactful Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (hirṣ) "حِرْصِ" refers to a strong desire or greed for worldly possessions or wealth. It is an intense longing for material gain, often at the expense of others. The word (sharah) "شَّرَهُ" means to consume or devour. When combined, these words convey the idea that the weapon of avarice is the insatiable hunger for more and more.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the destructive nature of greed and avarice. 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 emphasizes the importance of not allowing our desire for wealth and worldly possessions to distract us from our ultimate purpose in life, which is to worship and remember Allah. When we become consumed by our greed, we lose sight of the true purpose of our existence and the pursuit of material gain becomes our sole focus.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mutaffifin, Allah describes the consequences of avarice and greed. He says, (Quran 83:14)

No! Rather, the stain has covered their hearts of that which they were earning.

This verse highlights how the pursuit of wealth and material gain can corrupt our hearts and lead us astray from the path of righteousness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, warns us about the weapon of avarice. He reminds us that greed is like a weapon that can devour our souls, leading us to become insatiable in our pursuit of wealth. This insatiable hunger for more can blind us to the needs of others and cause us to engage in unethical and unjust practices.

The consequences of avarice are far-reaching. It not only harms our spiritual well-being but also has negative effects on our relationships and society as a whole. When we are driven by greed, we may resort to dishonesty, exploitation, and oppression in order to satisfy our desires. This creates an environment of injustice and inequality, where the gap between the rich and the poor widens.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of contentment and gratitude. Instead of constantly seeking more, we should be grateful for the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon us. We should use our wealth and resources to benefit others and strive for a just and equitable society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder of the dangers of avarice and greed. It warns us about the insatiable hunger for material gain that can consume our souls and lead us astray from the path of righteousness. By reflecting on the teachings of the Quran and the wisdom of Imam Ali, we can strive to overcome our desires and cultivate contentment and gratitude in our hearts. May Allah guide us all on the straight path and protect us from the weapon of avarice.