Hadith #1443

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The farthest of creatures from Allah, the Exalted, is the wealthy miser.

This impactful Hadith highlights the negative spiritual consequences of being a miserly person, especially when one possesses wealth.

Let us delve into the important words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (bakhil) "بَخِيل" refers to a person who is stingy, miserly, or excessively frugal. This individual is reluctant to spend their wealth, even when it is within their means to do so. On the other hand, the word (ghaniyy) "غَنِيّ" signifies someone who is wealthy or self-sufficient.

To comprehend the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of generosity and spending in His book. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 261, Allah says,

The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.

This verse highlights the immense reward and blessings that come from spending one's wealth in the path of Allah. It demonstrates that generosity is not only a means of benefiting others but also a means of increasing one's own blessings and rewards. In contrast, the miserly person deprives themselves of these abundant blessings and distances themselves from Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra, verse 29, Allah warns against the hoarding of wealth and being stingy. He says,

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.

This verse cautions against the negative consequences of clinging tightly to one's wealth and refusing to spend it for the benefit of others. It highlights the spiritual and moral bankruptcy that results from such behavior.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their own relationship with wealth. It urges us to examine whether we are utilizing our resources in a manner that pleases Allah or if we are falling into the trap of miserliness.

A wealthy miser not only deprives themselves of the blessings and rewards of generosity but also distances themselves from Allah. This distance is not physical but spiritual. It is a consequence of their attachment to material possessions and their failure to recognize the transient nature of wealth in the grand scheme of life.

The motivation behind this Hadith is to encourage Muslims to adopt a mindset of generosity and selflessness. By being generous with our wealth, we not only fulfill our duty towards others but also draw closer to Allah. We should strive to emulate the qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble family, who were known for their generosity and selflessness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the spiritual consequences of being a wealthy miser. It urges us to reflect upon our own relationship with wealth and encourages us to adopt a mindset of generosity and selflessness. By doing so, we draw closer to Allah and fulfill our duty towards our fellow human beings. May Allah guide us all to be generous and selfless individuals.