Hadith #390

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the greatest regret that a person will experience on the Day of Judgment. The key words in this Hadith are (regret) "حَسْرَةُ", (earned) "كَسَبَ", (through sinful ways) "غَيْرِ طَاعَةِ اللهِ", (spends it) "أَنْفَقَهُ", (obeying Allah) "طَاعَةِ اللهِ", (enter Paradise) "دَخَلَ بِهِ الْجَنَّةَ", and (enter Fire)

دَخَلَ الاْوَّلُ بِهِ النَّارَ

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:185):

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse emphasizes the reality of death and the ultimate compensation that awaits us on the Day of Resurrection. It is on this day that the regret mentioned in the Hadith will be felt most intensely. The regret of a person who earned wealth through sinful ways will be overwhelming, as they will realize the consequences of their actions.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also warns us in Surah Al-Tawbah (9:34-35):

O you who have believed, indeed many of the scholars and the monks devour the wealth of people unjustly and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah - give them tidings of a painful punishment. The Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell and seared therewith will be their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, [it will be said], 'This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you used to hoard.'

These verses highlight the severe consequences of earning wealth through unjust means and not spending it in the way of Allah. The punishment mentioned here serves as a warning to those who prioritize worldly gain over obedience to Allah. It is a reminder that wealth acquired through sinful ways will ultimately lead to regret and punishment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that if the wealth earned through sinful ways is inherited by someone who spends it in obeying Allah, that person will be rewarded with Paradise. This highlights the importance of using wealth in a righteous manner and the potential for redemption even if the wealth was initially acquired through sinful means.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.

This verse emphasizes the importance of spending from the good things that we have earned. It encourages us to use our wealth in a way that pleases Allah and benefits others. By doing so, we not only fulfill our obligations but also purify our wealth and earn rewards in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of earning wealth through sinful ways. It highlights the regret that will be felt on the Day of Judgment by those who prioritize worldly gain over obedience to Allah. However, it also offers hope and redemption for those who inherit such wealth and choose to spend it in the way of Allah. Let us reflect on this profound teaching and strive to earn our wealth through halal means and spend it in obedience to Allah, so that we may be among those who enter Paradise. May Allah guide us all on the straight path and protect us from the temptations of this world.