Hadith #1810

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises Muslims to adopt one of two commendable qualities: either to be selflessly generous or to be moderate in giving. The Imam warns against the third kind, which refers to the misers or those who withhold their wealth and refuse to spend it for the sake of others. This Hadith encourages Muslims to embrace a balanced approach in their financial matters, avoiding both excessive spending and excessive stinginess.

The word (jawwad) "جَوَادٌ" in the Hadith means "generous" or "benevolent." It refers to a person who is willing to give without expecting anything in return. This quality is highly praised in Islam, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) Himself is described as (Al-Jawwad) "الجَوَادُ", the Most Generous. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) were also known for their generosity, and Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was no exception.

The Imam also advises Muslims to be (mu'thir) "مُؤْثِرٌ", which means

one who prefers others over oneself.

This quality encourages selflessness and prioritizing the needs of others. It entails sacrificing one's own desires and interests for the benefit of others. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of Islam, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran:

(Quran 76:8-9)

And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'

The Imam then advises Muslims to be (muqtasid) "مُقْتَصِدٌ", which means "moderate" or "balanced." This quality encourages Muslims to strike a balance between spending and saving, avoiding both extravagance and miserliness. Islam promotes moderation in all aspects of life, including financial matters. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran:

(Quran 17:29)

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

The Imam's advice to avoid being (the third kind) "الثَّالِثَ" refers to the misers or those who withhold their wealth and refuse to spend it for the benefit of others. Islam strongly condemns this behavior, as it goes against the principles of generosity and selflessness. The Quran describes the misers in the following manner:

(Quran 25:67)

And those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the importance of adopting either the quality of selfless generosity or moderate giving. By doing so, Muslims can strike a balance in their financial matters and fulfill their obligations towards others. This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their wealth and to use it in a manner that pleases Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and benefits society as a whole.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) urges Muslims to be either selflessly generous or moderate in giving, while warning against the third kind of misers. By embodying these qualities, Muslims can fulfill their responsibilities towards others and maintain a balanced approach in their financial matters. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to follow the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the ability to be generous and selfless in our actions.