Hadith #2079

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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, "الحِرْصُ عَناءٌ مُؤَبَّدٌ۔" This can be translated as,

Greed is [a trait that results in] endless suffering.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (al-hirsu) "الحِرْصُ" refers to greed or covetousness. It signifies an intense desire to possess and accumulate wealth, power, or material possessions. It is a trait that drives individuals to pursue their own interests at the expense of others. The word (ana') "عَناءٌ" means suffering or hardship. It refers to the pain and distress that one experiences as a result of their greed. Lastly, the word (mu'abbadun) "مُؤَبَّدٌ" means endless or perpetual. It emphasizes that the suffering caused by greed is never-ending and has no limit.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against the destructive nature of greed in several verses. In Surah Al-Imran, Allah says, (Quran 63:9)

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers

This verse highlights how the pursuit of wealth and worldly possessions can distract us from our true purpose in life, which is to worship and remember Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Humazah, Allah describes the consequences of greed and covetousness, saying, (Quran 104:1-4)

Woe to every scorner and mocker, who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher

This verse portrays the delusion of those who believe that their wealth will grant them eternal life and security. In reality, their greed will lead them to a painful punishment.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to reflect upon the consequences of greed. Greed is not only detrimental to our spiritual well-being but also to our relationships with others. When we are consumed by greed, we become self-centered and neglectful of the needs and rights of those around us. This can lead to a breakdown in trust, harmony, and social cohesion within our communities.

Moreover, greed can have severe economic and societal consequences. It can fuel corruption, inequality, and exploitation, leading to the suffering of the less fortunate. Greed blinds individuals to the importance of justice, compassion, and generosity, which are fundamental principles of Islam.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful Hadith reminds us that the pursuit of wealth and material possessions should never be our ultimate goal in life. Instead, we should prioritize seeking the pleasure of Allah and striving for the betterment of society. By cultivating contentment and gratitude for what we have, we can free ourselves from the endless cycle of greed and find true peace and fulfillment.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to reflect upon the destructive nature of greed. It warns us of the endless suffering that accompanies the insatiable desire for wealth and material possessions. By turning to the Quran, we find numerous verses that emphasize the importance of contentment, generosity, and prioritizing the remembrance of Allah over worldly pursuits. May Allah protect us from the harmful effects of greed and guide us towards a life of righteousness and moderation.