Hadith #1444

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

أبْخَلُ النَّاسِ بِعَرَضِهِ أسْخاهُمْ بِعِرْضِهِ۔

This Hadith can be translated into English as:

The most miserly with his possessions is the most generous with his honour.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and their implications. The word (abkhalu) "أبْخَلُ" refers to someone who is extremely stingy or miserly. This person is excessively reluctant to spend or give away their wealth. On the other hand, the word (asakhahum) "أسْخاهُمْ" means that this same individual is exceptionally generous when it comes to protecting their honor or reputation.

To shed light on the wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:32):

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.

This verse emphasizes the importance of guarding one's honor and chastity, as it is a fundamental aspect of a person's character and dignity. Therefore, the one who is miserly with their honor is actually demonstrating a praiseworthy trait of protecting their integrity and purity.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse highlights the importance of respecting and honoring others, regardless of their social status or appearance. By being generous with our honor, we refrain from belittling or ridiculing others, thereby fostering a harmonious and compassionate society.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the one who is stingy with their possessions but generous with their honor possesses a unique character trait. Such an individual prioritizes safeguarding their integrity and reputation, recognizing the significance of maintaining a virtuous and dignified existence. They understand that wealth can be replenished, but once honor is tarnished, it is difficult to restore.

This Hadith encourages us to reflect upon our own actions and attitudes. Are we more concerned with accumulating material possessions, or do we prioritize upholding our honor and dignity? It reminds us that true generosity lies not only in giving material wealth but also in protecting our integrity and treating others with respect and kindness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us a valuable lesson about the importance of being generous with our honor. It reminds us to prioritize safeguarding our integrity and treating others with respect and dignity. By doing so, we can cultivate a society that values character and virtue, and ultimately earn the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May we all strive to be generous with our honor and uphold the teachings of Islam in our daily lives.