Hadith #10064

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the responsibility and consequences that come with wealth accumulation. Let us delve into the exegesis of this amazing Hadith.

The key words in this Hadith are (accumulate wealth) "جَمَعْتَ المالَ", (you are a representative) "أنْتَ فيهِ وَكيلٌ", (for another person) "لِغَيْرِكَ", (will rejoice with it) "يَسْعَدُ بِهِ", and (you become miserable) "تَشْقَى أنْتَ".

The phrase "جَمَعْتَ المالَ" refers to the act of accumulating wealth. It highlights the process of gathering and amassing material possessions and financial resources. This could include money, property, assets, and other forms of worldly possessions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then states that when one accumulates wealth, they become a representative or trustee for someone else. This implies that the wealth we possess is not solely for our own benefit, but rather, it carries a responsibility towards others. We are entrusted with this wealth to use it in a manner that benefits not only ourselves but also those who are in need.

To further understand the concept of being a representative, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Hadid (57:7), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.

This verse highlights the role of believers as representatives of Allah, entrusted with the responsibility of spending their wealth in the way that pleases Him.

The phrase "لِغَيْرِكَ" emphasizes that the wealth we accumulate is not solely for our own benefit. It reminds us that we should not be selfish in our approach to wealth, but rather, we should consider the needs and well-being of others. This aligns with the teachings of the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of charity, generosity, and helping those in need.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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.

This verse highlights the importance of using our wealth for the betterment of society and fulfilling the rights of those who are less fortunate.

The phrase "يَسْعَدُ بِهِ" indicates that the person for whom we are representatives will rejoice and benefit from the wealth we accumulate. This implies that the wealth we possess can have a positive impact on the lives of others, bringing them joy, comfort, and relief from their hardships. By fulfilling our responsibility as representatives, we contribute to the well-being and happiness of those around us.

Conversely, the phrase "تَشْقَى أنْتَ" highlights the consequence of neglecting our duty as representatives. It suggests that if we fail to use our wealth for the benefit of others, we will experience misery and dissatisfaction. This misery may arise from a sense of guilt, a lack of fulfillment, or a feeling of emptiness that comes from hoarding wealth and neglecting the needs of others.

To further understand the consequences of neglecting our duty as representatives, we can refer to Surah Al-Tawbah (9:34), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, indeed many of the scholars and the monks devour the wealth of people unjustly and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah - give them tidings of a painful punishment.

This verse serves as a reminder that accumulating wealth without fulfilling our responsibility towards others can lead to severe consequences in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of recognizing our role as representatives of wealth. It reminds us that wealth accumulation comes with a responsibility to use it in a manner that benefits others and brings joy to their lives. Neglecting this duty can lead to misery and dissatisfaction. May we all strive to fulfill our role as representatives and use our wealth in a way that pleases Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and brings happiness to those around us.