Hadith #9057

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all 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,

مَنْ تَجَبَّرَ عَلى مَنْ دُونَهُ كُسِرَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is haughty with the one who is below him gets broken [and pulled down from his position].

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this wise utterance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (tajabbara) "تَجَبَّرَ" in the Hadith refers to someone who displays arrogance, pride, and superiority over others. This person considers themselves to be above those who are beneath them in terms of social status, wealth, or any other aspect. They belittle and mistreat those who are in a lower position than them.

This behavior of arrogance and haughtiness is strongly condemned in the Quran. 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 emphasizes the importance of treating all individuals with respect and dignity, regardless of their social standing. It reminds us that we should not belittle or mock others, as they may possess qualities or virtues that we are unaware of. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) also warns us against insulting and using offensive language towards one another, as it goes against the principles of faith.

Furthermore, the consequences of arrogance and haughtiness are highlighted in the Quran. In Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, 'Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.'

This verse tells the story of Qarun, who was blessed with immense wealth and power but became arrogant and oppressive towards his people. As a result, he was punished by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and his wealth and status were taken away from him. This serves as a warning to those who abuse their positions of authority and mistreat others due to their arrogance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the importance of humility and kindness towards others. It teaches us that those who look down upon and mistreat those who are beneath them will ultimately face a downfall. This downfall can manifest in various ways, such as losing their position, reputation, or the respect of others.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see its relevance in various aspects of life. In the workplace, a supervisor who mistreats their subordinates with arrogance and disrespect may face a loss of productivity, loyalty, and cooperation from their team. In personal relationships, someone who belittles their partner or friends may find themselves isolated and devoid of meaningful connections.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wise utterance serves as a reminder for all Muslims to embody humility, compassion, and respect towards others. It encourages us to treat everyone with kindness and fairness, regardless of their social status or position. By doing so, we can cultivate harmonious relationships, foster a sense of unity within the community, and ultimately seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and grant us the wisdom to recognize the destructive nature of arrogance. May He purify our hearts from any trace of pride and enable us to treat all individuals with kindness, respect, and humility. Ameen.