I heard Ibn Az-Zubair who was on the pulpit at Mecca, delivering a sermon, saying, "O men! The
Prophet used to say, "If the son of Adam were given a valley full of gold, he would love to have a
second one; and if he were given the second one, he would love to have a third, for nothing fills the
belly of Adam's son except dust. And Allah forgives he who repents to Him." Ubai said, "We
considered this as a saying from the Qur'an till the Sura (beginning with) 'The mutual rivalry for piling
up of worldly things diverts you..' (102.1) was revealed."
Narrated by Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d:
Context
In this narration, Sahl bin Sa`d recounts a statement made by Ibn Az-Zubair during a sermon in Mecca, where he relayed the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) words about human greed. The hadith emphasizes that no matter how much wealth a person accumulates, it will never satisfy their inner desires, and ultimately, only repentance can lead to true fulfillment. This serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of material wealth.
Modern Application
In a consumer-driven society, many individuals find themselves in a cycle of wanting more, believing that material possessions will bring happiness. This hadith encourages reflection on the true sources of contentment and the importance of spiritual fulfillment over material accumulation.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Hope and Greed because it addresses the futility of greed and the hope found in repentance and spiritual growth.
Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.
Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.
Say [to them], "If you possessed the depositories of the mercy of my Lord, then you would withhold out of fear of spending." And ever has man been stingy.
This hadith is #6199 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d:.
