For it is only the biting teeth of time that frighten the people of high rank.

For it is only the biting teeth of time that frighten the people of high rank. O people, take charge of training yourselves, and restrain your souls from the habits of greed and covetousness” . [15] Avoid Handing the Reins of the Soul to Greed In his letter to his son, Imam Hasan (AS), Imam Ali (AS) cautions him against greed: “Beware lest the mounts of greed carry you swiftly to the watering places of destruction” .

[16] In this noble statement, Imam (AS) compares greed to an unbridled mount that rushes forward wildly and throws its rider into a perilous ravine with no escape, near a spring that gushes only the waters of ruin. Thus, one must strive to restrain this wild, uncontrolled beast, more dangerous than any furious horse or camel that throws its rider to his death.

There is no source of destruction worse than the loss of faith, and according to Imam Ali (AS), as confirmed by experience, greed destroys a person’s faith, just as piety preserves and strengthens it. [17] Imam Baqir (AS) said: “Evil is the servant who is driven by greed” . [18] Conclusion Greed is a vicious trait that corrupts a person, destroys faith and piety, and brings humiliation and disgrace to the soul. It is in constant conflict with reason and often defeats it.

📌One must be vigilant not to hand over the reins of the soul to greed. However, when greed is directed toward something noble, such as yearning for God’s mercy, it becomes praiseworthy. Notes [1] . Raghib al-Isfahani, Al-Mufradat, p. 307. [2] . Reyshahri, Mizan al-Hikmah, vol.5, p.555. [3] . Ibn Abi Jumhur, Awali al-Laali, vol.1, p.404, hadith 63. [4] . Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.78, p.369. [5] . Ansari, Translation of Ghurar al-Hikam, vol.1, p.839. [6] .

Ansari, Translation of Ghurar al-Hikam, vol.2, p.109. [7] . Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.77, p.92. [8] . Ansari, Translation of Ghurar al-Hikam, vol.1, p.361. [9] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 160. [10] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Wisdom 2. [11] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 194. [12] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Wisdom 219. [13] . Hakim, Inspiration from the Words of Ali (AS), p.166. [14] . Ansari, Translation of Ghurar al-Hikam, vol.2, p.741. [15] .

Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Wisdom 359. [16] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 31. [17] . Karimi Jahromi, Toward the Virtuous City, p.202. [18] . Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.73, p.170.

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