Greed

Main Topic

This lecture addresses the importance of rectifying one's akhlaq (character) during the Mubarak month of Ramadan, focusing specifically on eliminating bad spiritual traits (akhlaq-e-razila), beginning with the disease of hirs (greed and excessive engrossment in materialism).

Key Lessons

• Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was sent to perfect noble character.
• Spiritual reformation requires cleansing the heart of vile traits (razail) before instilling praiseworthy virtues (hamida).
• Greed (hirs) has no endpoint; it acts like an unquenchable fire and serves as the root for many spiritual defects like arrogance and immorality.
• Obsessive planning for distant, unforeseen future contingencies reflects a lack of trust in Allah's provision.
• True bankruptcy (muflis) on the Day of Judgment occurs when a person's bad character and ill-treatment of others consume all their good deeds.

Quranic/Hadith References

• Hadith: "I was sent to perfect good character." (Innamā bu'ith-tu li-utammima Ṣāliḥal-akhlāq)
• Hadith of the Bankrupt Person (Al-Muflis): The Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) asked who is bankrupt, explaining that a truly bankrupt person from his Ummah comes with Salah, Fasting, and Zakat, but has slandered, harmed, or usurped rights, resulting in his good deeds being given away until he is thrown into Jahannam.

Practical Advice

• Acknowledge that hirs (greed) is contemptible and actively resolve not to let it control your choices.
• Evaluate personal spending to distinguish genuine necessities from extravagance and luxury.
• Exercise mujahadah (striving against the nafs) by intentionally foregoing non-essential purchases and non-essential luxuries.
• Channel excess wealth into charitable causes and the path of Allah as an investment for the Akhirah rather than hoarding it.