Toggle above to switch between keyword search and direct hadith lookup
الادب المفرد
Adab al-Mufrad
كتاب
Book of Mutual Love Among People
بَابُ سَخَاوَةِ النَّفْسِ
Chapter: Generosity of Soul
Al-Adab al-Mufrad 276 — Generosity of Soul
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَجْلاَنَ، عَنِ الْقَعْقَاعِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: ”لَيْسَ الْغِنَى عَنْ كَثْرَةِ الْعَرَضِ، وَلَكِنَّ الْغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ.“
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who reports from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that he said: "Wealth is not the abundance of possessions, but true wealth is the richness of the soul."
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Usman Muneeb
Benefits and Issues:
Generally, when a person acquires wealth, he becomes afflicted with miserliness, and the love of wealth takes root in his heart. He is deprived even of the very purpose of wealth—that a person may lead a content and peaceful life—because he is constantly anxious about his wealth running out, and thus he lives a life of restlessness. Furthermore, in his greed and desire to earn more, his tranquility is destroyed. In contrast, the one who possesses generosity of heart and does not have love of wealth in his heart—if he receives wealth, he is grateful, and if he does not, he is not distressed, nor does he exhaust himself in its pursuit. Moreover, he does not express sorrow, grief, or regret over not receiving it; rather, he is content with Allah’s decree. In this way, he remains at peace—thus, the truly rich person is this one, not the one who lives with a sword hanging over his head at all times.
Generally, when a person acquires wealth, he becomes afflicted with miserliness, and the love of wealth takes root in his heart. He is deprived even of the very purpose of wealth—that a person may lead a content and peaceful life—because he is constantly anxious about his wealth running out, and thus he lives a life of restlessness. Furthermore, in his greed and desire to earn more, his tranquility is destroyed. In contrast, the one who possesses generosity of heart and does not have love of wealth in his heart—if he receives wealth, he is grateful, and if he does not, he is not distressed, nor does he exhaust himself in its pursuit. Moreover, he does not express sorrow, grief, or regret over not receiving it; rather, he is content with Allah’s decree. In this way, he remains at peace—thus, the truly rich person is this one, not the one who lives with a sword hanging over his head at all times.
Source: Fadlullah al-Ahad: Urdu Commentary on al-Adab al-Mufrad, Page: 276
