Hadith #8216

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the obligation of the wealthy to not withhold their wealth from the poor. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (al-wajib) "الواجِبِ" which means "obligatory," (al-ghani) "الغَنِيِّ" which means "the rich person," (layadunna) "لايَضُنَّ" which means "not to withhold," and (al-faqeer) "الفَقيرِ" which means "the poor."

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of giving to the poor and needy. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (2:219)

And they ask you what they should spend. Say, 'The excess [beyond needs].' Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Isra, Allah says, (17:26)

And give to the relative his right, and [also] to the poor and the traveler. And do not spend wastefully.

These verses highlight the obligation of giving to those in need and the prohibition of wastefulness. The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further emphasizes this obligation by specifically addressing the wealthy, reminding them not to withhold their wealth from the poor.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and understanding of Islam, encourages the wealthy to fulfill their duty towards the poor. By doing so, the rich person not only fulfills their obligation but also contributes to the well-being and social harmony of the community.

When the wealthy withhold their wealth from the poor, it can lead to various negative consequences. Firstly, it perpetuates inequality and widens the gap between the rich and the poor. This can create social unrest and dissatisfaction among the less fortunate members of society.

Moreover, withholding wealth from the poor goes against the principles of justice and compassion that Islam promotes. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands us to be just and fair in our dealings with others, especially those who are in need. By fulfilling their obligation towards the poor, the wealthy demonstrate their adherence to these principles.

Furthermore, withholding wealth from the poor can have detrimental effects on the spiritual well-being of the rich person. Islam teaches us that wealth is a trust from Allah and should be used for the betterment of society. By hoarding wealth and neglecting the needs of the poor, the rich person risks becoming attached to material possessions and neglecting their spiritual growth.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to the wealthy that it is their obligation to not withhold their wealth from the poor. This obligation is supported by numerous Quranic verses that emphasize the importance of giving to those in need. By fulfilling this duty, the wealthy contribute to the social harmony, justice, and spiritual growth of the community. May Allah guide us all to fulfill our obligations towards the less fortunate and grant us the ability to be generous and compassionate towards others.