Hadith #10560

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

ما حَقَّرَ نَفْسَهُ إلاّ عاقِلٌ۔

This can be translated as,

None abases his [carnal] soul but the intelligent one.

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

The word (haqqara) "حَقَّرَ" in this Hadith means to belittle, degrade, or humiliate oneself. It refers to a person who willingly lowers their own worth or dignity. The word (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ" refers to the carnal soul or the lower self, which is prone to desires and worldly temptations.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:37),

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 not to be arrogant or boastful, as true greatness lies in humility and recognizing our limitations.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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.

This verse emphasizes the importance of not belittling or mocking others, as it goes against the principles of justice and equality.

Now, let us reflect on the wise message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The intelligent person, as mentioned in the Hadith, is the one who does not degrade or humiliate their own soul. This means that true intelligence lies in recognizing the inherent worth and dignity that Allah has bestowed upon us as human beings. It is about valuing ourselves and others, and not allowing our desires or worldly pressures to diminish our self-respect.

When a person belittles themselves, they may engage in self-destructive behaviors, compromise their principles, or settle for less than they deserve. This can lead to a loss of self-esteem, inner turmoil, and a lack of fulfillment in life. On the other hand, the intelligent person understands their worth and strives to elevate themselves spiritually, morally, and intellectually.

By not abasing our souls, we can cultivate qualities such as self-confidence, self-respect, and self-discipline. We can resist the temptations of this world and focus on our spiritual growth. This does not mean that we should be arrogant or boastful, but rather that we should recognize our strengths and use them for the betterment of ourselves and others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for all Muslims to value themselves and others, to strive for excellence, and to avoid falling into the trap of self-deprecation. It encourages us to seek knowledge, develop our character, and fulfill our potential as intelligent beings created by Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true intelligence lies in not abasing our souls. It reminds us to value ourselves and others, and to strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives. By understanding our worth and recognizing the potential within us, we can lead fulfilling and purposeful lives, guided by the principles of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to uphold the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and to elevate ourselves spiritually.