Hadith #9183

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

إحْذَرِ الكَريمَ إذا أهَنْتَهُ، والحَليمَ إذا جَرَحْتَهُ، والشُّجاعَ إذا أوْجَعْتَهُ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of being cautious and mindful of the reactions and emotions of three types of individuals: the noble-minded person, the forbearing one, and the courageous one.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. (al-karim) "الكَريمَ" refers to a person of noble character, someone who possesses generosity, kindness, and honor. (al-halim) "الحَليمَ" refers to a person who is forbearing, patient, and tolerant. (ash-shuja'a) "الشُّجاعَ" refers to a person who is courageous, brave, and strong.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11):

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse teaches us the importance of treating others with respect and dignity, regardless of their social status or personal qualities. It reminds us not to offend or belittle others, as they may possess qualities that are superior to our own. Therefore, when Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be cautious of the noble-minded person when we offend them, he is reminding us to be mindful of the potential harm we may cause to someone who possesses noble qualities.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also instructs us in Surah Al-A'raf (7:199):

Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

This verse encourages us to be patient and forbearing, even in the face of injury or harm. When Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be cautious of the forbearing one when we injure them, he is reminding us of the importance of not taking advantage of someone's patience and tolerance.

Moreover, the Quran also highlights the virtue of courage and bravery. In Surah Al-Anfal (8:46), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

This verse emphasizes the need for courage and steadfastness in the face of adversity. When Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to be cautious of the courageous one when we torment them, he is reminding us of the potential consequences of causing harm to someone who possesses strength and bravery.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice. Offending a noble-minded person can lead to the loss of their valuable contributions and kindness. Injuring a forbearing person can erode their patience and tolerance, leading to a breakdown in relationships. Tormenting a courageous person can result in the loss of their strength and bravery, leaving them vulnerable and weakened.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, is reminding us to be mindful of the consequences of our actions and words. He is urging us to treat others with respect, kindness, and empathy, regardless of their social status or personal qualities. By doing so, we can foster harmonious relationships, maintain the dignity of others, and contribute to a more compassionate and just society.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our daily lives. May we strive to be cautious and mindful of the reactions and emotions of those around us, and may we always treat others with respect, kindness, and empathy.