Hadith #6723

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

مَنْ بَذَلَ عِرْضَهُ حُقِّرَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who sacrifices his dignity is humiliated.

Let us now delve into the profound wisdom behind this statement, drawing upon the teachings of the Quran.

The word (badhala) "بَذَلَ" in this Hadith means to give up or sacrifice something willingly. Here, it refers to sacrificing one's dignity or self-respect. The word (iradah) "عِرْضَهُ" means honor or dignity. So, the Hadith is warning against willingly sacrificing one's honor or dignity, which ultimately leads to humiliation.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of preserving one's dignity and honor. In Surah Al-Isra, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 17:32)

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.

This verse highlights the significance of guarding one's chastity and avoiding any actions that may compromise one's honor.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 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.

This verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with respect and refraining from belittling or insulting them.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder that compromising one's dignity for temporary gains or to please others ultimately leads to humiliation. When a person willingly sacrifices their honor, they open themselves up to mistreatment and disrespect from others. This can have severe consequences on their self-esteem, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.

For example, if an individual compromises their principles or integrity to gain material wealth or social status, they may find themselves surrounded by people who do not value them for who they truly are. They may be constantly living in fear of being exposed or losing what they have gained through their compromised actions. This constant fear and lack of self-respect can lead to a life of misery and regret.

On the other hand, those who uphold their dignity and honor, even in the face of challenges or temptations, earn the respect and admiration of others. They are seen as individuals of integrity and are more likely to attract genuine and trustworthy companions. Their self-respect and confidence enable them to navigate through life's difficulties with grace and resilience.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to value and protect their dignity and honor. By maintaining our self-respect and refusing to compromise our principles, we can avoid the path of humiliation and live a life of integrity and fulfillment. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to uphold our dignity and protect ourselves from humiliation.