Hadith #6111

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the 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,

بِالأطْماعِ تَذِلُّ رِقابُ الرِّجالِ۔

This can be translated as,

Through avidities the necks of men are lowered [in humiliation].

Let us first delve into the meaning of the important words in this Hadith. (atma'i) "أطْماعِ" refers to excessive desires, greed, and covetousness. It signifies an insatiable longing for worldly possessions, power, and status. (tadhil) "تَذِلُّ" means to lower or humiliate, indicating the consequences of yielding to these avidities. (riqabu al-rijal) "رِقابُ الرِّجالِ" translates to the necks of men, symbolizing their dignity, honor, and self-respect.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the destructive nature of excessive desires and the consequences they bring upon individuals and societies. In Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah says,

And We have certainly created man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators. Then indeed, after that you are to die. Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, will be resurrected.

This ayah reminds us of the transient nature of our worldly existence. We are created from a humble origin and will eventually return to Allah. Therefore, our focus should not be solely on accumulating material possessions and satisfying our worldly desires. The pursuit of excessive desires leads to a loss of self-control and humility, causing individuals to lower their own necks in humiliation.

In Surah Al-Hadid (57:20), Allah says,

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. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly pursuits and the illusion they create. Avidities and the relentless pursuit of wealth, power, and status only lead to temporary satisfaction and ultimately result in humiliation. The necks of those who prioritize worldly desires are lowered, as they become slaves to their own passions, losing sight of their true purpose in life.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound wisdom and knowledge, reminds us of the dangers of excessive desires in this Hadith. When individuals allow their avidities to control their actions, they become enslaved to their desires, compromising their integrity and dignity. The pursuit of worldly possessions and power can blind individuals to the higher spiritual truths and the path of righteousness.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to cultivate contentment and moderation in our lives. By prioritizing our spiritual growth and seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we can avoid the pitfalls of excessive desires and the humiliation that accompanies them. Let us remember that true success lies in the pursuit of righteousness and the fulfillment of our duties towards Allah and our fellow human beings. May Allah guide us all on the path of moderation and protect us from the destructive consequences of avidities.