Hadith #1950

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

When the ignorant one becomes stingy (or denies), he obtains [wealth] and when he obtains [wealth] (or professes belief in one God), he apostatizes.

This Hadith highlights the consequences of ignorance and stinginess, as well as the dangers of materialism and the rejection of faith.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. The word (jamad) "جَمَدَ" refers to becoming stingy or denying, while (wajada) "وَجَدَ" means to obtain or acquire. Additionally, (alhad) "ألْحَدَ" signifies apostasy or turning away from faith.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us in Surah Al-Anfal (8:22),

Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason.

This verse emphasizes the importance of knowledge and understanding, as ignorance can lead to harmful actions and misguided beliefs.

Furthermore, the Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of generosity and the dangers of stinginess. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267), Allah 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 encourages believers to be generous with their wealth and to avoid being miserly or selective in their giving.

The Hadith also highlights the consequences of materialism and the rejection of faith. In Surah Al-Kahf (18:32-36), the story of the rich man and the poor man is narrated. The rich man, who was arrogant and proud of his wealth, denied the existence of an afterlife and the Day of Judgment. As a result, Allah caused his wealth to perish and his gardens to wither away. This story serves as a reminder that wealth and material possessions are temporary and should not be the focus of our lives. Instead, our priority should be the pursuit of knowledge, righteousness, and the worship of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith warns us about the dangers of ignorance and stinginess. When a person becomes ignorant and denies the truth, they may acquire wealth and material possessions, but this does not bring them true happiness or fulfillment. On the contrary, it can lead to arrogance, selfishness, and a turning away from faith. Such a person becomes spiritually bankrupt and distances themselves from the path of righteousness.

Conversely, when a person acquires wealth and professes belief in the oneness of Allah, they may be tempted to become stingy and materialistic. This can lead to a neglect of their spiritual duties and a loss of faith. It is a reminder that wealth should be used for the betterment of society, to help those in need, and to fulfill our obligations towards Allah and His creation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder of the consequences of ignorance, stinginess, and the dangers of materialism. It urges us to seek knowledge, be generous with our wealth, and prioritize our faith over worldly possessions. May Allah guide us all on the path of knowledge, generosity, and faith.