Hadith #11087

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, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The cornerstone of every evil is impudence.

Let us delve into the meaning of this wise utterance and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (qiḥah) "قِحَةُ" in Arabic refers to impudence or audacity. It signifies a lack of respect, humility, and restraint in one's actions and speech. It is the root cause of various evils and vices that plague society. This Hadith emphasizes the importance of cultivating humility and modesty in our interactions with others.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that highlight the significance of humility and warn against the consequences of arrogance and impudence. In Surah Al-Isra (17:37), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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 think we are, we are ultimately limited beings in the grand scheme of creation. Arrogance and impudence only lead to our own downfall.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, 'Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.'

This verse recounts the story of Qarun, who was blessed with immense wealth and power but became arrogant and oppressive. His impudence led to his own destruction and the punishment of his people.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of humility and modesty in our daily lives. Impudence can manifest in various forms, such as arrogance, pride, disrespect, and insolence. It can lead to conflicts, oppression, and the breakdown of relationships.

For instance, when individuals exhibit impudence in their interactions with others, it creates a hostile environment where trust and cooperation are compromised. It hinders effective communication and prevents the resolution of conflicts. Moreover, impudence can lead to the mistreatment and oppression of others, as seen in the example of Qarun mentioned in the Quran.

On the other hand, practicing humility and modesty fosters a sense of empathy, compassion, and respect towards others. It allows for harmonious relationships and promotes a peaceful and just society. The Quran encourages believers to adopt these qualities, as mentioned in Surah Al-Hujurat (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.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to cultivate humility and modesty in their interactions with others. Impudence is the cornerstone of every evil, leading to conflicts, oppression, and the breakdown of relationships. By practicing humility, we can foster a society based on respect, empathy, and justice. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to embody these qualities and protect us from the pitfalls of impudence.