Hadith #9714

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 our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

From the completeness of magnanimity is for one to feel ashamed of himself.

This profound statement highlights the virtue of humility and self-awareness. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word "tamaam" in Arabic refers to completeness or perfection. It signifies the highest level of a particular quality or characteristic. In this Hadith, it refers to the pinnacle of magnanimity or generosity. The word "muruwwah" refers to noble virtues, including bravery, honor, and righteousness. It encompasses all the qualities that make a person truly virtuous and noble.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that one of the signs of complete magnanimity is feeling ashamed of oneself. This means that a person who possesses true magnanimity is humble and recognizes their own faults and shortcomings. They are not arrogant or boastful about their virtues, but rather, they are constantly striving to improve themselves and seek forgiveness for their mistakes.

This concept of feeling ashamed of oneself is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:23),

O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.

This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and righteousness as the true adornment of a believer.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Indeed, [O Muhammad], 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 guidance and success come from Allah alone. It humbles us and reminds us that we are in constant need of His guidance and mercy.

When a person feels ashamed of themselves, it leads to self-reflection and self-improvement. They strive to rectify their mistakes and seek forgiveness from Allah. This humility also enables them to treat others with kindness and compassion, as they understand the struggles and weaknesses that every human being possesses.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) exemplified this quality of feeling ashamed of oneself throughout his life. Despite his immense knowledge and wisdom, he always remained humble and acknowledged his own limitations. He would often say,

I am the servant of Allah and the brother of His Messenger (ﷺ).

This humility and self-awareness allowed him to serve as a role model for all Muslims.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of humility and self-awareness. Feeling ashamed of oneself is a sign of true magnanimity and a recognition of our own faults and weaknesses. It is through this humility that we can strive for self-improvement and seek the guidance and forgiveness of Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to embody this virtue and follow in the footsteps of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).