Hadith #1416

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Kathratu al-ta'allul ayyatu al-bukhl.

This Hadith can be translated as,

Making too many excuses is a sign of stinginess.

To understand the connotation behind this statement, let us delve into the key words used in this Hadith.

The word "ta'allul" refers to the act of making excuses or justifications. It implies that a person is constantly finding reasons to avoid fulfilling their obligations or responsibilities. This behavior is often driven by a desire to hold onto one's wealth or resources, which leads us to the next important word, "bukhl," meaning stinginess or miserliness.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find support for the wisdom contained within this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:80),

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our responsibilities with steadfastness and determination, without resorting to making excessive excuses.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'arij (70:19-21), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the characteristics of the righteous, saying,

Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and springs, accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good. They used to sleep but little of the night.

These verses highlight the qualities of those who are not stingy and do not make excessive excuses. The righteous are content with what Allah has provided them and do not seek to hoard their wealth. They fulfill their obligations diligently and do not waste their time in unnecessary excuses or procrastination.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the epitome of knowledge and wisdom, understood the detrimental effects of making too many excuses. He recognized that excessive excuses are often a manifestation of stinginess, as they prevent individuals from fulfilling their duties and obligations towards Allah and others. Such behavior hinders personal growth, weakens relationships, and obstructs progress in both spiritual and worldly matters.

By highlighting the connection between excessive excuses and stinginess, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us to be mindful of our actions and to strive for sincerity and integrity in all aspects of our lives. We should not allow the fear of losing our resources or the desire for personal comfort to hinder our progress on the path of righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to avoid making excessive excuses, as it is a sign of stinginess. We should strive to fulfill our obligations with steadfastness and sincerity, seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the betterment of ourselves and society. May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to overcome our shortcomings and become individuals who are known for their integrity and dedication.