Hadith #9818

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ تَكَبَّرَ فِي سُلْطَانِهِ صَغَّرَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who becomes haughty in his kingship has belittled it.

Let us delve into the meanings of some important words in this Hadith. The word (takabbara) "تَكَبَّرَ" comes from the root word (kabira) "كَبِرَ", which means to be arrogant or to show pride. (sultan) "سُلْطَانِهِ" refers to one's authority, power, or kingship. And (saggharahu) "صَغَّرَهُ" means to belittle or diminish something.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against arrogance and pride in several verses. In Surah Al-Isra, verse 37, Allah says,

And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.

This verse reminds us that no matter how powerful or influential we may become, we should never let it lead to arrogance. Our authority and position in this world are temporary and limited. Just as we cannot tear the earth apart or reach the heights of mountains, our power and kingship are ultimately insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Furthermore, in Surah Luqman, verse 18, Allah advises,

And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and warns against looking down upon others. When we become haughty in our kingship or any position of authority, we are essentially belittling it. We forget that our power and success are blessings from Allah, and we should use them to serve and uplift others, rather than to elevate ourselves above them.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his unparalleled knowledge and wisdom, teaches us through this Hadith that true leadership is not about asserting dominance or seeking personal glory. It is about humbly fulfilling our responsibilities, serving the people, and upholding justice.

When a leader becomes arrogant and starts to belittle their kingship, they lose sight of the purpose of their authority. They may abuse their power, oppress their subjects, and neglect their duties. This not only harms the people they are meant to serve but also tarnishes the reputation of leadership itself.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) sets an example for us to follow. Despite his immense knowledge and unparalleled leadership qualities, he remained humble and always put the needs of the community before his own. He understood that true greatness lies in humility and service to others.

As Muslims, we should reflect on this Hadith and strive to embody its teachings in our own lives. Whether we hold positions of authority or not, we should always remember that our success and achievements are gifts from Allah. We should use them to benefit others, promote justice, and seek the pleasure of Allah, rather than allowing them to inflate our egos.

May Allah guide us to be humble and just leaders, and may He protect us from the pitfalls of arrogance and pride.