36/43. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2376 — Greed for Wealth and Honor
The Hadith: "Two Wolves Free Among Sheep"
Hadith About Greed for Wealth and Status
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2376
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2376
حَدَّثَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ زَكَرِيَّا بْنِ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَعْدِ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَا ذِئْبَانِ جَائِعَانِ أُرْسِلاَ فِي غَنَمٍ بِأَفْسَدَ لَهَا مِنْ حِرْصِ الْمَرْءِ عَلَى الْمَالِ وَالشَّرَفِ لِدِينِهِ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَيُرْوَى فِي هَذَا الْبَابِ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلاَ يَصِحُّ إِسْنَادُهُ .
Ibn Ka'b bin Malik Al-Ansari Narrated from:
Ibn Ka'b bin Malik Al-Ansari narrated from his father, that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "Two Wolves Free Among Sheep Are No More Destructive To Them Than A Man'S Desire For Wealth And Honor Is To His Religion."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2376In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 73English translation : Vol. 4, Book 10, Hadith 2376
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2376
This hadith about greed for wealth and status uses a strong image. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said that two wolves let loose among sheep are not more destructive than a man’s desire for wealth and honor is to his religion. The comparison makes the danger easy to understand. Wolves can scatter and harm sheep quickly, and uncontrolled greed can harm a person’s religious life. The hadith does not say wealth or honor are always evil. It warns about hirs, the strong craving and chase for them. For readers searching hadith about greed in Islam, this narration teaches self-checking before ambition damages faith and conduct.
What we learn from this hadith
- Unchecked desire for wealth can harm a person’s religion.
- Chasing honor and status can be spiritually dangerous.
- A believer should watch ambition before it becomes destructive.
