Hadith #10864

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

تَحَبَّبْ إلَى النّاسِ بِالزٌّهْدِ فيما أيْديِهِمْ، تَفُزْ بِالمَحَبَّةِ مِنْهُمْ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of endearing oneself to others by showing disinterest in their possessions. By doing so, one can successfully gain the love and affection of people.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze the key words and concepts within it. The word (tahabbab) "تَحَبَّبْ" means to endear or make oneself beloved to others. It implies creating a bond of love and affection with people. The word (az-zuhd) "الزٌّهْدِ" refers to the state of being uninterested or detached from worldly possessions. It signifies a mindset of contentment and detachment from materialistic desires. The phrase (fima aydihim) "فيما أيْديِهِمْ" translates to

in what is in their hands

and refers to the possessions and belongings of others.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hashr (59:9),

And [also for] those who were settled in the Home (i.e., Medina) and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the importance of selflessness and generosity in gaining the love and affection of others. The early Muslims in Medina showed immense love and support for the emigrants who had left their homes for the sake of Allah. They did not feel any envy or desire for the possessions of the emigrants, but rather, they preferred them over themselves. This selflessness and detachment from materialistic desires led to a strong bond of love and unity among the believers.

Another verse that aligns with the message of the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Imran (3:159), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].

This verse highlights the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and consultation in maintaining strong relationships with others. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was advised by Allah to be lenient and gentle in his interactions with people. Had he been harsh and rude, people would have distanced themselves from him. This demonstrates that showing genuine care, concern, and respect for others is essential in gaining their love and affection.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. By being uninterested in the possessions of others, we display a sense of contentment and detachment from worldly desires. This attitude allows us to focus on building genuine connections with people, showing them kindness, and prioritizing their well-being over our own materialistic gains. When we genuinely care for others and prioritize their needs, we create an environment of love, unity, and compassion.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, which he utilized to guide the Muslim community during his time. His emphasis on the importance of detachment from worldly possessions and prioritizing the love and well-being of others reflects his deep understanding of human nature and the teachings of Islam. By following his advice, Muslims can cultivate strong bonds of love and affection within their communities, fostering an environment of unity and compassion.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of endearing ourselves to others by showing disinterest in their possessions. By prioritizing the love and well-being of others over our own materialistic desires, we can build genuine connections and foster an environment of unity and compassion. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize selflessness, kindness, and detachment from worldly desires. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to implement these teachings in our lives and enable us to gain the love and affection of our fellow Muslims.