Hadith #6123

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

عَبْدُ المَطامِعِ مُسْتَرَّقٌ، لايَجِدُ أبَداً العِتْقَ۔

This impactful saying can be translated as,

The servant of the coveted is enslaved and never gains his freedom.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The term (abd) "عَبْدُ" refers to a servant or slave, someone who is in a state of submission and servitude. (al-matami') "المَطامِعِ" can be understood as the one who covets or desires worldly possessions, status, or material gains. (mustarraq) "مُسْتَرَّقٌ" means being enslaved or trapped, unable to attain liberation or freedom. And (al-'itq) "العِتْقَ" signifies freedom or emancipation.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of avoiding attachment to worldly desires and material possessions. In Surah Al-Imran, Allah says, (3:14)

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

This verse highlights the allure of worldly desires and how they can distract us from our true purpose in life. When one becomes a slave to their desires, they lose sight of their spiritual journey and become trapped in the pursuit of material gains. This attachment to worldly possessions and status leads to a state of enslavement, as mentioned in the Hadith.

Moreover, Allah warns us in Surah Al-Hadid, (57:20)

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris.

This verse reminds us that the pleasures and attractions of this world are temporary and fleeting. They may bring temporary satisfaction, but they ultimately lead to disappointment and emptiness. When one becomes enslaved to the pursuit of worldly desires, they are constantly seeking more, never finding true contentment or freedom.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual growth and detachment from worldly desires. It warns against becoming slaves to material possessions, status, or any form of covetousness. By recognizing the transient nature of worldly gains, we can free ourselves from the chains of attachment and focus on attaining true freedom through submission to Allah and seeking His pleasure.

The consequences of being enslaved to our desires are manifold. It leads to a neglect of our spiritual well-being, as we become consumed by the pursuit of worldly gains. This attachment can also lead to unethical behavior, as we may resort to unjust means to acquire what we covet. Furthermore, being enslaved to our desires hinders our ability to develop a strong connection with Allah and prevents us from attaining true inner peace and contentment.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of self-discipline, contentment, and detachment from worldly possessions. We should strive to cultivate a mindset that prioritizes spiritual growth and seeks the pleasure of Allah above all else. By doing so, we can break free from the chains of materialism and attain true freedom and tranquility in this life and the hereafter.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize the transient nature of worldly desires and the strength to overcome our attachment to them. May He guide us on the path of true freedom and contentment, and may we always seek His pleasure above all else. Ameen.