Hadith #2127

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ كانَ حَريصاً لَمْ يَعْدِمِ الإهانَةَ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

One who acts greedily is not bereft of indignity.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (harīsan) "حَريصاً" in the Hadith refers to someone who is excessively greedy, desiring more and more without any restraint. This person is driven by a relentless pursuit of material gain and personal interests, often at the expense of others.

To understand the consequences of such behavior, we turn to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against the destructive nature of greed in several verses. In Surah Al-Imran (3:180), Allah says,

And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection.

This verse highlights that those who hoard and act greedily with the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah will face severe consequences. Their greed will ultimately lead to their own humiliation and punishment on the Day of Resurrection. This serves as a reminder to Muslims that the pursuit of wealth and material possessions should not be prioritized over the pursuit of righteousness and the well-being of others.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:37), Allah warns against the consequences of greed by recounting the story of the two sons of Adam (peace be upon him). When one brother's offering was accepted by Allah and the other's was not, the rejected brother became consumed by envy and greed. In his anger, he plotted to kill his own brother. Allah says,

So he became of the regretful.

This verse teaches us that greed can lead to destructive emotions and actions. It can drive individuals to commit heinous acts out of envy and resentment. The regret and remorse experienced by the brother in this story serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of acting greedily.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes that one who acts greedily will not be spared from indignity. This means that the consequences of greed go beyond the material realm. Greed can tarnish one's reputation, damage relationships, and lead to a loss of respect and honor. It is a quality that diminishes the character of an individual and exposes them to humiliation and disgrace.

To illustrate this point, let us consider a scenario where a person is driven by greed and engages in unethical business practices. They may deceive their customers, exploit their employees, and manipulate the market for personal gain. While they may accumulate wealth in the short term, their actions will eventually be exposed, leading to a loss of trust and respect from others. Their reputation will be tarnished, and they will be viewed as someone who lacks integrity and moral values.

In light of this, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their intentions and actions. It urges us to prioritize righteousness, justice, and compassion over personal gain. By doing so, we not only protect ourselves from the consequences of greed but also contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith highlights the detrimental effects of greed and the subsequent loss of dignity and honor. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly warns against the destructive nature of greed. As Muslims, we should strive to cultivate contentment, generosity, and selflessness in our lives, seeking the pleasure of Allah rather than the temporary pleasures of this world. May Allah guide us all to the path of righteousness and protect us from the pitfalls of greed.