Hadith #7196

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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 states,

Verily the intelligent one is not beguiled by covetousness.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this statement and explore its significance in the light of the Quran.

The word (intelligent) "عاقِلَ" in this Hadith refers to a person who possesses wisdom, understanding, and sound judgment. It is someone who is not easily swayed by their desires or tempted by worldly possessions. This person has the ability to discern between right and wrong, and to make decisions based on what is beneficial for their spiritual growth and the well-being of others.

The term (is not beguiled) "لايَنْخَدِعُ" implies that the intelligent person is not deceived or misled by the allure of materialistic desires. They are not easily enticed by the temporary pleasures of this world, nor do they allow their desires to cloud their judgment. Instead, they prioritize their spiritual development and seek contentment in the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This Hadith reminds us of the Quranic teachings that caution against the dangers of covetousness and the pursuit of worldly possessions. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:14),

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

Here, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us that the allure of worldly possessions can distract us from our ultimate purpose in life, which is to seek His pleasure and attain success in the Hereafter. The intelligent person understands that true contentment and fulfillment lie in the remembrance of Allah and the pursuit of righteous deeds, rather than in the accumulation of material wealth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:77), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.

This verse emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual aspirations. The intelligent person recognizes that while it is necessary to fulfill our worldly obligations, we must not become consumed by the pursuit of material possessions. Instead, we should focus on utilizing the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to seek His pleasure and contribute positively to society.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their spiritual growth and not be deceived by the temporary allure of worldly possessions. By cultivating intelligence and wisdom, we can navigate through the trials and tribulations of this world with a clear understanding of our purpose and a steadfast commitment to pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and understanding to be guided by the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). May He protect us from the temptations of this world and grant us success in both this life and the Hereafter.