Hadith #10592

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us against the dangers of covetousness and greed. Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith to better understand its wise message.

The word (ghuroor) "غُرُورِ" in Arabic refers to the deception or illusion that covetousness creates. It is a state of being deluded by the false promises and allurements of worldly desires. The word (tama') "طَمَعِ" means covetousness or greed, which is an insatiable desire for wealth, power, or possessions. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to surrender ourselves to this deception and not to respond to the call of greed.

To understand the gravity of this warning, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Hashr (59:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And those who came after them say, 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.'

This verse reminds us to seek forgiveness and to avoid harboring ill feelings towards others. Covetousness and greed can lead to resentment and envy, which are detrimental to our spiritual well-being.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran (3:180), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

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 emphasizes the consequences of greed and hoarding wealth. It highlights that withholding the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) will only lead to regret and punishment in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) cautions us that surrendering to covetousness and responding to the call of greed will result in wretchedness and disgrace. Covetousness blinds us to the blessings we already have and leads us to constantly yearn for more, never finding contentment. It breeds discontentment, envy, and a constant pursuit of worldly possessions, which ultimately leads to unhappiness and spiritual degradation.

Greed, on the other hand, drives individuals to engage in unethical and immoral practices to acquire wealth and power. It can lead to exploitation, corruption, and the neglect of one's duties and responsibilities towards others. The pursuit of material gain at the expense of one's moral values and principles brings about disgrace and a loss of self-respect.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, advises us to resist the temptations of covetousness and greed. By doing so, we safeguard our spiritual well-being, maintain contentment with what Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has bestowed upon us, and uphold our moral integrity. We should strive to cultivate gratitude, generosity, and selflessness, for these are the qualities that bring true happiness and honor in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to guard against the pitfalls of covetousness and greed. It urges us to seek contentment in what Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has already blessed us with and to avoid the pursuit of worldly possessions at the expense of our spiritual well-being. By heeding this advice, we can attain true happiness and honor in this life and the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the deception of covetousness and greed and guide us on the path of righteousness.