Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
In this lengthy hadith, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) gave several indications regarding the future of his ummah, most of which have already come to pass.
In this context, he also alluded to the era of ascendancy and prosperity for the Muslims.
And he also explained that the advancement of the world, the abundance of wealth and riches, and the luxuries of this world—these things, though apparently good, can sometimes result in evil as well.
Upon this, some people asked, “O Messenger of Allah, can good ever become a cause for evil?”
In response to this question, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) remained silent, awaiting revelation.
This led some people to think that he was displeased with the question.
After a considerable time, when Allah Most High informed him of the answer through revelation, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) explained by giving the example mentioned in the hadith, and clarified that although wealth is a blessing from Allah and a good thing, when it is spent inappropriately and on sinful things, this very wealth becomes a punishment.
Just as the green grass of the harvest is a great blessing for animals,
but if an animal falls upon it all at once and eats it to excess, then for that animal, this very grass acts as poison.
It is not limited to animals.
Even bread, which is a source of life for humans, if consumed immoderately, becomes a cause of death.
You must have seen that famine-stricken, hungry people, when they suddenly find food and eat it to excess, sometimes such people die immediately after drinking water, and perish.
This food acts as poison for them.
Thus, the animal that does not fall upon the spring produce all at once, but is content with eating the dry grass that has sprouted a little green after the rain,
and then, after eating, stands facing the sun and waits for it to digest,
and relieves itself, then it does not perish.
Similarly, the wealth of this world is such that whoever acquires it with moderation, observing the limits of the lawful and unlawful, and benefits from it, eats from it,
and helps the poor, the orphan, and the traveler, then he remains safe.
But whoever, like a greedy dog, pounces upon the wealth and possessions of the world, and removes the restrictions of lawful and unlawful,
in the end, that wealth does not digest for him,
and he is forced to expel it.
Sometimes, due to indigestion, he even loses his life in pursuit of that wealth.
Therefore, do not be deceived by the apparent beauty of worldly wealth—be cautious; within the sweet is wrapped poison.
The final words of the hadith, “like the one who eats but is never satisfied,” allude to such greedy and covetous people who are afflicted with the disease of the hunger of cattle (ju‘ al-baqr), and whose greed is never satiated.
The correspondence between the hadith and the chapter is in the phrase of the hadith: “So excellent is the wealth for a Muslim, from which the poor, the orphan, and the traveler are given,” which encourages giving charity to orphans.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established from this hadith the encouragement to give charity to orphans, because in it are the words that the best companion of a Muslim is his wealth, provided that it is spent on the needy, orphans, and travelers.
(2)
In another narration, it is stated that the wealth of a Muslim is good when he acquires it lawfully, then spends it in the way of Allah on orphans, the needy, and travelers.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Jihad wal-Siyar, Hadith: 2842) (3)
In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has described examples of two types of people:
٭ The one who becomes engrossed in acquiring worldly possessions and is miserly in fulfilling the rights of wealth—such a person’s end is destruction and regret.
٭ The one who adopts moderation and economy in acquiring worldly possessions, does not attempt to accumulate wealth through unlawful means, and continues to fulfill the rights of wealth—such a person is saved from the calamity of the world.