Hadith #1251

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The uprightness of faith is [in] piety and its corruption is [in] greed.

This enlightening saying highlights the importance of two contrasting qualities in the realm of faith: piety and greed.

Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (salah) "صَلاحُ" refers to the uprightness or rectitude of faith. It signifies the state of being righteous, virtuous, and morally upright. (al-iman) "الإيمانِ" refers to faith, belief, and conviction in Allah and His teachings. (al-wara') "الوَرَعُ" refers to piety, which encompasses abstaining from what is prohibited and adhering to what is commanded by Allah. It involves a conscious effort to avoid sin and to fulfill one's obligations towards Allah and His creation. On the other hand, (at-tama') "الطَّمَعُ" refers to greed, covetousness, and an insatiable desire for worldly possessions.

To understand the significance of piety and the detrimental effects of greed, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197),

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is piety. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

This verse emphasizes that the true provision for the journey of life is not material wealth, but rather piety. It is through piety that one attains closeness to Allah and finds tranquility and contentment.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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 the true measure of nobility and superiority in the sight of Allah is righteousness and piety. It is not wealth, status, or lineage that determines one's worth, but rather one's level of devotion and obedience to Allah.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize piety over greed. Piety is the foundation upon which faith is built, and it leads to spiritual growth, moral integrity, and a sense of accountability towards Allah. It enables individuals to fulfill their duties towards Allah and their fellow human beings with sincerity and selflessness.

On the other hand, greed corrupts the purity of faith. It blinds individuals to the true purpose of life and leads them to prioritize their own desires and material gains over the well-being of others. Greed breeds selfishness, injustice, and a disregard for the rights of others. It hinders spiritual growth and distances individuals from the path of righteousness.

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are reminded to constantly evaluate their intentions and actions. They should strive to cultivate piety in their hearts and minds, seeking closeness to Allah through acts of worship, kindness, and compassion towards others. By doing so, they can safeguard their faith from the corruption of greed and ensure that their actions are in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of piety in upholding the integrity of faith, while warning against the corrupting influence of greed. Muslims are encouraged to prioritize piety in their lives, seeking closeness to Allah and striving for righteousness in all their actions. May Allah guide us all on the path of piety and protect us from the pitfalls of greed.