Hadith #8483

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the concept of true poverty, which is not merely a lack of material wealth, but rather a state of being characterized by stinginess and selfishness despite having abundance and affluence. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that the truly impoverished person is one who hoards his wealth and does not utilize it for the betterment of himself or others.

To fully comprehend the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. The word (qattara) "قَتَّرَ" means to be stingy or miserly, while (ghinā) "غِنَى" refers to wealth and affluence. The term (sa'ah) "سَعَة" signifies abundance and plenty. Finally, (khalafa) "خَلَّفَ" means to leave behind or bequeath something to others.

To further elucidate the wisdom behind this Hadith, we can 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., Madinah) 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 noble character of the Ansar (the residents of Madinah) who welcomed and supported the Muhajirun (the emigrants from Makkah) despite their own limited resources. They did not let their own poverty hinder them from assisting others. This exemplifies the opposite of the behavior described in the Hadith, where a person with abundance and affluence fails to utilize their wealth for the betterment of themselves or others.

Another verse that sheds light on the importance of generosity and selflessness is found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177):

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse emphasizes that true righteousness lies not in outward rituals, but in sincere belief in Allah and the willingness to give generously from one's wealth, even if it is beloved to them. It encourages Muslims to be selfless and compassionate towards those in need, regardless of their own financial situation.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we can understand that true poverty is not measured solely by one's material wealth, but rather by their attitude towards it. A person may possess great riches, but if they are stingy and fail to utilize their wealth for the betterment of themselves and others, they are truly impoverished in the sight of Allah.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be generous and selfless, to use their wealth and resources for the benefit of society, and to prioritize the needs of others over their own desires. It teaches us that true richness lies in giving, and that the blessings of wealth should be shared with those less fortunate.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the understanding and ability to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the Quran, and may He make us among those who are truly rich in the sight of Allah.