12/38. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1047a — Desires That Stay Young
It is disliked to be eager to acquire worldly gains
Hadith About Desire for Wealth and Life
Sahih Muslim : 1047a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1047a
وَحَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَسَعِيدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ أَبِي عَوَانَةَ، - قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، - عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَهْرَمُ ابْنُ آدَمَ وَتَشِبُّ مِنْهُ اثْنَتَانِ الْحِرْصُ عَلَى الْمَالِ وَالْحِرْصُ عَلَى الْعُمُرِ " .
Anas reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The son of Adam grows old, but two (desires) in him remain young: desire for wealth and desire for life.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1047aIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 149USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2279
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1047a
This hadith about desire for wealth and life uses the phrase “son of Adam,” making the lesson wide and personal. Anas reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said the son of Adam grows old, but two desires remain young in him: desire for wealth and desire for life. The message is not limited to one age group or one person. It describes a pattern found in people. The body may become weak, but greed for money and wish for more time can still feel strong. The hadith helps a believer notice these desires early. It teaches that spiritual growth needs attention to the heart, not only changes in age or outward life.
What we learn from this hadith
- Growing old does not automatically remove strong desires.
- Desire for wealth can remain active inside a person.
- Desire for more life can also stay strong.
- The heart needs care throughout life.
