Hadith #2113

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

يَسيرُ الحِرْصِ يَحْمِلُ عَلى كَثيرِ الطَّمَعِ۔

This Hadith can be translated into English as,

A little greed leads to a lot of cupidity.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. (hiras) "حِرْصِ" refers to a strong desire or eagerness for something. It can be understood as an intense form of greed or covetousness. (katheer) "كَثيرِ" means a lot or many, and (tam'a) "طَّمَعِ" refers to excessive desire or greed.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the dangers of greed and excessive desire in several verses. In Surah Al-Humazah (104:1-2), Allah says,

Woe to every scorner and mocker, who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it.

This verse highlights the negative consequences of greed and the obsession with accumulating wealth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah says,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse teaches us to seek contentment and rely on Allah's sustenance rather than being consumed by greed and excessive desires.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the dangers of greed. It highlights the fact that even a small amount of greed can lead to an insatiable desire for more. Greed blinds individuals and causes them to lose sight of what truly matters in life, such as spiritual growth, moral values, and the well-being of others.

When a person becomes consumed by greed, they become willing to do anything to fulfill their desires, even if it means resorting to unethical or unjust means. This can lead to a multitude of negative consequences, both for the individual and society as a whole. Greed can lead to corruption, exploitation, and the erosion of trust and harmony within communities.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, warns us about the dangers of greed in this Hadith. He reminds us to be content with what Allah has blessed us with and to strive for moderation in our desires and ambitions. By doing so, we can maintain a sense of balance and harmony in our lives.

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are encouraged to evaluate their own intentions and desires. We should strive to cultivate a mindset of gratitude and contentment, recognizing that true fulfillment lies not in the accumulation of material possessions, but in the pursuit of spiritual growth and the well-being of others.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the dangers of greed and grant us the wisdom to lead a balanced and fulfilling life. May we always seek His guidance and strive to emulate the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble family, particularly Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).