Hadith #6110

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,

إنْ أطَعْتَ الطَّمَعَ أرْداكَ۔

This can be translated into English as,

If you give in to covetousness, it will destroy you.

Let us delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. The word (tam'a) "طَمَعَ" refers to covetousness or greed. It signifies an intense desire for material possessions, wealth, or power. The word (ardaka) "أَرْدَاكَ" means to destroy or ruin. Thus, the Hadith warns us about the destructive consequences of succumbing to covetousness.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly warns us about the perils of greed and covetousness. In Surah Al-Hashr (59:9), Allah says,

And those who came after them say, 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.'

This verse highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness and purifying our hearts from any resentment or envy towards others. Covetousness stems from a sense of discontentment and a lack of gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah.

Another verse that sheds light on the consequences of covetousness is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), where Allah says,

Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, 'Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.'

This verse narrates the story of Qarun, who was blessed with immense wealth but allowed his greed to consume him. As a result, he became arrogant and tyrannical, leading to his ultimate destruction.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to guard against the dangers of covetousness. When we become obsessed with accumulating worldly possessions, we lose sight of our true purpose in life, which is to seek the pleasure of Allah and strive for spiritual growth. Covetousness breeds discontentment, envy, and a constant desire for more, which can lead to unethical behavior, injustice, and a neglect of our responsibilities towards others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound wisdom and knowledge, warns us about the destructive nature of covetousness. By giving in to our desires and allowing greed to control our actions, we risk losing our moral compass and damaging our relationships with others. The pursuit of material wealth should never take precedence over our obligations towards Allah and our fellow human beings.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to cultivate contentment and gratitude in our hearts. We should be satisfied with what Allah has blessed us with and avoid comparing ourselves to others. Instead of focusing on accumulating wealth, we should prioritize acts of charity, kindness, and selflessness. By doing so, we not only protect ourselves from the destructive consequences of covetousness but also contribute to the betterment of society and the fulfillment of our purpose as Muslims.

May Allah protect us from the pitfalls of covetousness and grant us the strength to lead lives of contentment, gratitude, and righteousness. Ameen.