Hadith #1426

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.

The Arabic word (shuhh) "شُّحِّ" in the provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) refers to avarice or greed. It is the intense desire to possess and accumulate wealth or material possessions, often at the expense of others. This Hadith highlights the negative consequences of such a trait, stating that in avarice there is (as-sabbah) "السَّبَّةُ", which can be translated as vilification or dishonour.

To understand the connotation of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against the destructive nature of greed in several verses. In Surah Al-Imran, Allah says, (Quran 63:9)

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers.

This verse reminds us that when we become consumed by our desire for wealth and material possessions, we lose sight of our true purpose in life, which is to worship and remember Allah. Greed blinds us to the importance of spiritual growth and neglects the well-being of our souls.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Humazah, Allah describes the consequences of avarice, saying, (Quran 104:1-4)

Woe to every scorner and mocker, who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher.

This powerful imagery highlights the ultimate fate of those who prioritize wealth over everything else. The Crusher refers to the punishment in the Hereafter, where the greedy will be held accountable for their actions. Their pursuit of wealth and their disregard for the rights of others will lead to their downfall and eternal regret.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims of the dangers of greed and the negative consequences it brings. Avarice not only tarnishes one's character but also leads to dishonour and vilification. When a person becomes obsessed with accumulating wealth, they may resort to unethical and dishonest means to achieve their goals. This can result in harming others, causing divisions within society, and damaging one's reputation.

Moreover, greed can lead to a spiritual decline. It distracts us from our obligations towards Allah and our fellow human beings. It fosters a mindset of selfishness and materialism, preventing us from developing qualities such as generosity, compassion, and gratitude. Ultimately, it hinders our spiritual growth and distances us from the path of righteousness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful saying serves as a timeless reminder for Muslims to reflect on their relationship with wealth and material possessions. It urges us to prioritize our spiritual well-being and to be mindful of the negative consequences that greed can bring. By seeking contentment in what Allah has blessed us with and using our wealth to benefit others, we can avoid the dishonour and vilification associated with avarice.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the destructive nature of greed and guide us towards a balanced and righteous approach to wealth. May we strive to emulate the noble qualities of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), particularly his deep knowledge and wisdom, in our pursuit of a virtuous life.