Hadith #6485

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Conceit is the cornerstone of foolishness.

Let us delve into the meaning of this impactful Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (ujb) "عُجْبُ" in this Hadith refers to conceit or arrogance. It is the feeling of superiority or self-importance that leads one to belittle others and disregard their opinions. This arrogance is a dangerous trait that blinds a person to their own shortcomings and prevents them from seeking knowledge and guidance.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against arrogance in numerous verses of the Quran. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:146), Allah says,

I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it.

Here, Allah emphasizes that arrogance hinders a person's ability to recognize and accept the signs of truth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), Allah states,

Indeed, you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse reminds us that true guidance comes from Allah alone, and no one should consider themselves superior or more knowledgeable than others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of conceit by stating that it is the "cornerstone of foolishness." When a person is consumed by arrogance, they become closed-minded and resistant to learning and growth. They fail to recognize their own limitations and become stagnant in their understanding of the world.

The Quran provides examples of individuals who were afflicted with arrogance and the resulting consequences. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:12), the story of Pharaoh is mentioned, who arrogantly claimed,

I am your lord, the Most High.

His arrogance led to his downfall and eventual destruction.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), the story of Qarun is narrated. Qarun was blessed with immense wealth, but he became arrogant and boasted about his possessions. Allah punished him by causing the earth to swallow him and his wealth. These examples serve as a reminder that arrogance leads to destruction and loss.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement urges us to reflect on our own attitudes and behaviors. It reminds us to be humble and open-minded, recognizing that true wisdom comes from acknowledging our limitations and seeking knowledge from authentic sources.

As Muslims, we should strive to emulate the humility of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself was known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, yet he remained humble and approachable, always seeking to learn and grow.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the dangers of conceit and arrogance. It reminds us to be humble, open-minded, and receptive to knowledge. By recognizing our own limitations and seeking guidance from Allah, we can avoid the pitfalls of arrogance and attain true wisdom. May Allah protect us from the trap of conceit and grant us the humility to seek knowledge with sincerity.