Hadith #1433

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

ما أقْبَحَ البُخْلَ بِذَوِى النُّبْلِ۔

This can be translated as,

How revolting is stinginess by those who possess nobility.

In this beautiful Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the repulsiveness of stinginess, particularly when it is exhibited by individuals who are blessed with nobility or high status.

To fully comprehend the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. (aqbah) "أقْبَحَ" refers to something that is extremely ugly, repugnant, or detestable. (bukhl) "البُخْلَ" signifies stinginess or miserliness, which is the act of withholding or being reluctant to give or share wealth or resources. (dhu al-nubl) "ذَوِى النُّبْلِ" refers to those who possess nobility or high status.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of generosity and the repugnance of stinginess. In Surah Al-Isra, verse 29, Allah says,

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

This verse warns against the consequences of stinginess, which can lead to a person being criticized and ultimately impoverished.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 267, Allah says,

O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.

This verse encourages believers to spend from their wealth and resources, emphasizing the importance of giving from what is good and not holding back due to stinginess.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the contradiction between stinginess and nobility. Nobility is not merely a matter of social status or lineage, but it is also reflected in one's character and actions. A person who possesses nobility should embody generosity and selflessness, using their blessings to benefit others and alleviate their hardships.

Stinginess, on the other hand, contradicts the essence of nobility. It tarnishes one's character, diminishes their status, and creates a barrier between them and the blessings of Allah. Stinginess not only deprives others of their rights but also deprives the stingy individual of the rewards and blessings that come with acts of generosity.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of embodying generosity and selflessness, regardless of their social status or wealth. It urges us to reflect on our own actions and attitudes towards wealth and resources. Are we using our blessings to benefit others and contribute to the betterment of society, or are we succumbing to the repugnance of stinginess?

Let us strive to follow the teachings of the Quran and the noble example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), by being generous and selfless in our dealings with others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to overcome the vice of stinginess and adorn our lives with the virtue of generosity. May He bless us with the true nobility that comes from selflessness and compassion.