If the son of Adam were to possess two valleys full of wealth, he would seek the third

Arabic text

عَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضيَ اللهُ عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَوْ كَانَ لِابْنِ آدَمَ وَادِيَانِ مِنْ مَالٍ لَابْتَغَى وَادِيًا ثَالِثًا، وَلَا يَمْلَأُ جَوْفَ ابْنِ آدَمَ إِلَّا التُّرَابُ، وَيَتُوبُ اللهُ عَلَى مَنْ تَابَ».

Translation

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If the son of Adam were to possess two valleys full of wealth, he would seek the third. Nothing can fill his belly except dust, and Allah accepts the repentance of whoever repents."

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that if the son of Adam had a valley filled with gold, he would love to have two other valleys of gold out of his greed, which is part of his nature. He will continue to be greedy for worldly possessions until he dies and his belly is filled with the dust of his grave.

Benefits

• The intense eagerness of a human being to accumulate wealth and other worldly possessions.
• An-Nawawi said: It contains a condemnation of greed for the worldly life, of competing over its accumulation, and of excessive desire for it.
• Allah Almighty accepts the repentance of whoever repents of blameworthy traits.
• An-Nawawi said: The Hadīth was stated according to what is generally true for most of the children of Adam in their greed for worldly gain. This is supported by the statement of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): (And Allah accepts the repentance of whoever repents).

Topics

• Virtues and Manners
• Jurisprudence of Ethics
• Heart-Softeners and Sermons
• Blameworthy Morals
• Condemning Love of the World