The Covetous

Imam Ali (AS), when asked, ‘Which is the worst humility?, said, ‘Coveting the world.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The covetous is a captive of a lowliness whose captivity is never-ending.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Sustenance is allotted, and the covetous is denied.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The covetous one is poor even if he owns the whole world.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The one who covets is wretched and miserable.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The covetous one is never satiated.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Covetousness does not increase sustenance, but rather it degrades its worth.

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, ‘Self-restraint does not prevent [the descent of] sustenance, nor does covetousness attract any surplus [sustenance]; for indeed sustenance is allotted, and death is certain, and covetousness is only asking for sin.

Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘The similitude of the one who covets this world is as the caterpillar: the more silk it spins around itself, the harder it makes its exit for itself, until it dies of grief.

Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The Commander of the Faithful, blessings of Allah be upon him, used to say, ‘O son of Adam! If only you sought from the world enough to satisfy your needs, indeed the very least from it would be enough to satisfy your needs. But if instead you desire more than your needs, then truly everything that it contains will not suffice you.