If the son of Adam were to possess two valleys of riches. he would long for the third one. And the stomach of the son of Adam is not filled but with dust. And Allah returns to him who repents.
The Book of Zakat - Sahih Muslim 1048a
If the son of Adam were to possess two valleys of riches, he would long for the third one. And the stomach of the son of Adam is not filled but with dust. And Allah returns to him who repents.
Commentary on Human Nature
This profound hadith reveals the inherent insatiability of human desire for worldly possessions. The metaphor of "two valleys of riches" signifies abundant wealth, yet man's nature drives him to seek a third, demonstrating that worldly acquisition never satisfies the human heart.
The phrase "stomach is not filled but with dust" carries dual meaning: literally referring to the grave's earth that ultimately receives every human, and metaphorically indicating that worldly pursuits are ultimately empty and unfulfilling compared to spiritual nourishment.
Spiritual Implications
This teaching serves as a powerful reminder against excessive attachment to material wealth and the importance of contentment (qana'ah). The constant craving for more distracts from the remembrance of Allah and the pursuit of eternal rewards.
The concluding phrase "Allah returns to him who repents" offers divine mercy and hope, indicating that recognition of this human weakness and turning back to Allah through sincere repentance is always accepted.
Practical Application
Scholars derive from this that Muslims should cultivate gratitude for what they possess and channel their energies toward acquiring spiritual wealth through acts of worship, charity, and good character.
The hadith particularly relates to zakat by highlighting the danger of hoarding wealth and the importance of purifying one's possessions through obligatory charity, thus breaking the cycle of endless material desire.