Hadith #6124

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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,

غَشَّ نَفْسَهُ مَنْ شَرَّبَها الطَّمَعَ۔

This can be translated as,

He who instils covetousness in his soul has deceived it.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. The word (ghasha) "غَشَّ" means to deceive or to cheat. (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ" refers to one's own soul or self. (sharabaha) "شَرَّبَها" means to instil or to cause something to enter. And finally, (at-tama'a) "الطَّمَعَ" refers to covetousness or greed.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 23:

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

This verse reminds us that worldly possessions and desires are temporary and fleeting. They can easily deceive us and divert our attention from the true purpose of our existence. Covetousness, or the insatiable desire for more, can lead us astray and blind us to the realities of life. It can make us forget the importance of spiritual growth, compassion, and selflessness.

Another verse that sheds light on the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 77:

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.

This verse teaches us the importance of balance in our lives. While we should strive for success in this world, we must not let our desires and greed consume us. We should always remember our ultimate goal, which is to seek the pleasure of Allah and attain success in the Hereafter. We should use the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah to do good and avoid any form of corruption or harm.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound wisdom and knowledge, reminds us in this Hadith that when we allow covetousness to enter our souls, we are deceiving ourselves. By constantly desiring more and being consumed by greed, we are falling into a trap that leads to dissatisfaction, discontentment, and a loss of focus on our spiritual growth.

Covetousness can have severe consequences in our lives. It can lead to unethical behavior, such as dishonesty, cheating, and exploitation of others. It can also create a sense of envy and rivalry among people, destroying relationships and causing harm to society as a whole. Moreover, it can distance us from Allah and hinder our spiritual progress.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to cultivate contentment and gratitude in our hearts. We should be mindful of our desires and constantly seek to purify our intentions. Instead of being driven by greed, we should focus on seeking the pleasure of Allah and fulfilling our responsibilities towards ourselves, our families, and our communities.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder to Muslims of the dangers of covetousness and the importance of contentment. By understanding the transient nature of worldly possessions and seeking the pleasure of Allah, we can protect ourselves from self-deception and lead a more fulfilling and purposeful life. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and protect us from the pitfalls of greed.