‘Allamah ‘Abdul Mustafa A’zami رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has mentioned: Passion for greed is found in food, clothing, residence, goods, money, respect or fame, in short, in every blessing. (Jannati Zaywar, pp. 111)

It will be very effective to study the 232-page book of Maktaba-tul-Madinah namely ‘Hirs’ [Greed] for further information about greed. Obtain this book and study it, you may read this book online or download it for free from the website of Dawat-e-Islami (www.dawateislami.net).

Greed, a natural occurrence

Dear Islamic brothers! Greed is a characteristic that is part of the human nature. Whether it is an infant, a strong young man or a weak old man, a man or woman, a ruler or a subject, a rich man or a poor man, a scholar or an illiterate person, in short, everyone suffers from greed. There is another kind of greed where some people are greedy for good deeds to receive rewards in the Hereafter. Others are greedy for wealth, status, respect and fame. It is stated in Tafseer Khaazin: Greed is an essential part of the heart because it has been created in the very same way. (Tafseer Khaazin, vol. 1, pp. 437)

Remember! Some of the acts, which are related to greed, are rewardable and some are punishable, whereas some are permissible (Mubah), that is to say, Sawab (reward) is not granted for performing such deeds, nor is there any wrath or displeasure if they are not performed. However, if the same permissible act is performed with good intentions, a person deserves Sawab and if he performs it with bad intentions then he deserves the punishment of Hell.

Types of greed

Greed has basically three types:

1.         ‘Hirs-e-Mahmood’ (Good greed): To desire to have abundant wealth so that it can be spent in the path of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

2.         ‘Hirs-e-Mazmoom’ (Bad greed): To desire to have abundant wealth so that a bad act can be performed such as drinking alcohol etc.