Hadith #4584

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, "الزُّهْدُ مَتْجَرٌ رابِحٌ۔" This can be translated as,

Renunciation of worldly pleasures is a profitable trade.

Let us delve into the profound wisdom contained within this statement, and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The word (az-zuhd) "الزُّهْدُ" refers to abstaining from the excessive attachment to worldly possessions and desires. It is a state of contentment and detachment from the materialistic aspects of life. The term (matjar) "مَتْجَرٌ" means trade or business, and (rabih) "رابِحٌ" means profitable or beneficial. Therefore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is emphasizing that adopting a mindset of renunciation and detachment from worldly pleasures is a trade that brings immense profit and benefit.

This beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) finds support in numerous verses of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of the fleeting nature of worldly possessions and the importance of focusing on the eternal rewards of the hereafter.

In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 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.

This verse highlights the allure of worldly pleasures, but it also reminds us that true success lies in the return to Allah. The pursuit of material possessions may bring temporary satisfaction, but it is the pursuit of spiritual growth and closeness to Allah that yields everlasting rewards.

Another verse that supports the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is found in Surah Al-Kahf, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 18:45)

And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability.

This verse beautifully illustrates the transient nature of worldly possessions. Just as rain nourishes the earth and brings forth vegetation, the pleasures of this world may bring temporary enjoyment. However, they eventually wither away, leaving behind nothing but dry remnants. In contrast, the rewards of the hereafter are everlasting and bring true fulfillment.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that renunciation of worldly pleasures is a profitable trade because it allows us to prioritize our spiritual growth and focus on the eternal rewards promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By detaching ourselves from the materialistic aspects of life, we free ourselves from the distractions that hinder our spiritual progress.

This renunciation does not mean complete abandonment of worldly responsibilities or possessions. Rather, it entails recognizing the temporary nature of these worldly pleasures and using them as a means to attain closeness to Allah. It involves adopting a mindset of gratitude and contentment, where we are not attached to the materialistic aspects of life but rather utilize them in a way that aligns with the teachings of Islam.

By prioritizing our spiritual growth over worldly pursuits, we cultivate qualities such as patience, humility, and self-discipline. We become more focused on acts of worship, seeking knowledge, and serving humanity. This shift in mindset allows us to develop a deeper connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and leads to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of renouncing worldly pleasures as a profitable trade. By detaching ourselves from the materialistic aspects of life, we prioritize our spiritual growth and focus on the eternal rewards promised by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This mindset allows us to develop qualities that align with the teachings of Islam and leads to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to adopt the path of renunciation and benefit from its immense rewards.