Hadith #10974

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

أعْظَمُ النّاسِ رِفْعَةً مَنْ وَضَعَ نَفْسَهُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

The greatest of people in loftiness is one who humbles himself.

Let us delve into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (rif'atan) "رِفْعَةً" in this Hadith refers to loftiness or greatness. It signifies a person's elevated status or position. On the other hand, the word (wada'a) "وَضَعَ" means to lower oneself or to humble oneself. It implies a person's willingness to put aside their ego and pride.

To understand the significance of humbling oneself, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that true greatness lies not in one's lineage, wealth, or worldly status, but in one's righteousness and piety. It is the person who humbles themselves before Allah and strives to do good deeds that attains true loftiness in the sight of Allah.

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

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.

This verse highlights that those who do not seek worldly power or engage in corruption are the ones who will be granted a lofty position in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that true greatness is not achieved through arrogance or self-promotion, but through humility and selflessness. When a person humbles themselves, they are able to recognize their weaknesses and seek improvement. They are open to learning from others and are willing to admit their mistakes.

Humbling oneself also fosters unity and harmony within the Muslim community. It allows individuals to put aside their differences and work together for the greater good. This is evident in the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companions, who humbled themselves before Allah and dedicated their lives to serving the religion of Islam.

Moreover, when a person humbles themselves, they become more receptive to the guidance of Allah and are more likely to seek His forgiveness. Allah says in Surah An-Nisa (4:49),

Have you not seen those who claim themselves to be pure? Rather, Allah purifies whom He wills, and injustice is not done to them, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed].

This verse reminds us that true purity and righteousness come from Allah alone. It is not for us to claim superiority over others, but to strive for purification of the heart and soul. By humbling ourselves, we acknowledge our dependence on Allah's mercy and seek His forgiveness for our shortcomings.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the greatest of people in loftiness are those who humble themselves. True greatness lies in righteousness, piety, and a willingness to put aside one's ego. By humbling ourselves, we not only attain a higher status in the sight of Allah, but also foster unity, seek improvement, and seek His forgiveness. May Allah guide us all to embody the qualities of humility and righteousness.