Hadith #2694

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 righteous companions.

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

كُنْ مُقْتَدِراً (مُقَدِّراً)، ولاتَكُنْ مُحْتَكِراً۔

This can be translated as,

Be solvent (or an assessor), and do not be a hoarder.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. The word (muqtadiran) "مُقْتَدِراً" comes from the root word (qadara) "قَدَرَ", which means to assess, evaluate, or measure. It implies being able to determine the worth or value of something. On the other hand, the word (muhtakiran) "مُحْتَكِراً" comes from the root word (hakara) "حَكَرَ", which means to hoard or accumulate excessively. It signifies the act of amassing wealth or resources without any regard for their proper use or distribution.

To understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:7),

And what Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the [stranded] traveler - so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

This verse highlights the importance of fair distribution and the prohibition of hoarding wealth. It emphasizes that resources should not be concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals, but rather should be used to benefit society as a whole. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes this message by urging Muslims to be assessors or solvents, meaning they should evaluate the worth of their possessions and use them wisely for the betterment of society.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hashr (59:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the virtue of selflessness and generosity. The believers in Medina were praised for their love and support for the emigrants, even though they themselves were in need. They did not hoard their resources but rather gave preference to others over themselves. This exemplifies the essence of being a solvent or an assessor, as mentioned in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). It encourages Muslims to prioritize the needs of others and be willing to share their wealth and resources, even if they themselves are in a state of privation.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to adopt a balanced approach towards wealth and possessions. It discourages the accumulation of wealth for the sake of hoarding, as this goes against the principles of justice and fairness. Instead, it encourages Muslims to assess the value and worth of their possessions and utilize them in a manner that benefits society as a whole. By doing so, they embody the spirit of selflessness and generosity, which are highly regarded in Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of being solvent or an assessor, and warns against the negative consequences of hoarding. It aligns with the Quranic teachings of fair distribution, selflessness, and generosity. Muslims are encouraged to evaluate the worth of their possessions and utilize them in a manner that benefits society, rather than accumulating wealth without purpose. By following this guidance, Muslims can strive towards a just and equitable society, where resources are shared and utilized for the greater good.