Hadith #1731

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "جَمالُ الرَّجُلِ حِلْمُهُ۔" This can be translated as,

The beauty of a man is his clemency.

Let us delve into the connotation of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (jamal) "جَمالُ" in Arabic refers to beauty, grace, or attractiveness. It encompasses both physical and moral beauty. In this context, it refers to the moral beauty of a person's character. The word (hilm) "حِلْمُ" means clemency, forbearance, or patience. It signifies the ability to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity, to control one's anger, and to forgive others.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of clemency and forbearance in numerous verses. For example, in Surah Al-Imran (3:134), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Those who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse highlights the virtue of controlling one's anger and forgiving others, which aligns perfectly with the concept of hilm mentioned in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:199), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) instructs Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to

Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

This verse emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and forbearance as a means to guide others towards goodness and to distance oneself from ignorance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the significance of clemency in a person's character. It reminds us that true beauty lies not in physical appearance, but in the ability to exercise patience, forgiveness, and self-control. When faced with difficult situations or mistreatment from others, a person who responds with clemency displays a higher level of moral excellence.

By embodying hilm, one can inspire others to follow the path of righteousness and bring about positive change in society. When we choose to forgive instead of seeking revenge, we break the cycle of hatred and promote harmony and peace. This quality of clemency also enables us to maintain healthy relationships and resolve conflicts amicably.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, exemplified the concept of hilm throughout his life. Despite facing numerous challenges and injustices, he consistently displayed patience and forgiveness. His ability to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity earned him the respect and admiration of both his friends and foes.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true beauty lies in a person's clemency. By exercising patience, forgiveness, and self-control, we can attain moral excellence and inspire others to do the same. Let us strive to cultivate this virtue in our lives, following the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the teachings of the Quran. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to embody hilm and spread beauty through our actions.