Hadith #4611

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of true asceticism and the need to renounce avarice while adorning oneself with piety. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (zuhd) "زُهْدُ" in Arabic refers to asceticism or detachment from worldly desires and possessions. It is a state of contentment and detachment from materialistic pursuits. However, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true asceticism is not merely about renouncing worldly possessions, but it also requires renouncing avarice or greed. This means that one must not only detach themselves from material possessions but also from the desire to accumulate wealth and worldly gains.

To further understand the significance of renouncing avarice, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Hashr (59:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Bani An-Nadir), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that.

This verse highlights the importance of selflessness and the absence of jealousy or avarice in the hearts of the believers.

The second part of the Hadith states, (wa yatahallu bil-wara') "ويَتَحَلَّ بِالوَرَعِ". The word (wara') "وَرَعِ" refers to piety, righteousness, and the fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is the conscious effort to avoid anything that displeases Allah and to fulfill one's obligations towards Him. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that true asceticism is incomplete without adorning oneself with piety.

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of piety. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (piety).

This verse reminds us that the ultimate provision for our journey in this world is piety. It is through piety that we can attain true success and fulfillment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true asceticism is not about depriving oneself of worldly possessions, but rather about purifying the heart from the love of materialism and adorning it with piety. It is about finding contentment in what Allah has blessed us with and using our wealth and resources for the betterment of ourselves and society.

By renouncing avarice, we free ourselves from the constant pursuit of material possessions and the greed that accompanies it. This allows us to focus on the true purpose of our existence, which is to worship Allah and seek His pleasure. It enables us to prioritize the needs of others and to be selfless in our actions.

Adorning ourselves with piety ensures that our actions are in accordance with the teachings of Islam. It instills in us a sense of accountability and consciousness of Allah's presence in our lives. Piety guides us to make choices that are pleasing to Allah and to avoid actions that may lead us astray.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for all Muslims to strive for true asceticism by renouncing avarice and adorning themselves with piety. It teaches us that true detachment from worldly desires is not limited to material possessions but also encompasses the renunciation of greed and the pursuit of righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and to attain true asceticism and piety.