Hadith #6496

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 admiration of a person for himself is folly.

This enlightening Hadith highlights the inherent foolishness in being self-conceited and excessively proud of one's own abilities, qualities, or achievements. It serves as a reminder to Muslims to cultivate humility and seek true worthiness in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (iʿjāb) "إعْجابُ" refers to the act of being impressed, amazed, or admiring something or someone. (al-marʾi) "المَرْءِ" translates to "a person" or "an individual." (bi-nafsihi) "بِنَفْسِهِ" means "for himself." And finally, (ḥumq) "حُمْقٌ" denotes folly, foolishness, or stupidity.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of humility and warn against arrogance and self-admiration. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says 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. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse reminds us that true worth lies in one's character and piety, not in worldly accomplishments or personal attributes. It cautions against belittling others or boasting about oneself, as it leads to arrogance and division among Muslims. Instead, we are encouraged to treat one another with respect and humility, recognizing that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the ultimate judge of our worth.

Another verse that aligns with the teachings of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 allowed his arrogance and self-admiration to corrupt him. The lesson here is that material possessions and worldly achievements should not be a source of pride or arrogance. Instead, we should recognize that all blessings come from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and use them in a way that pleases Him.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to avoid falling into the trap of self-admiration and conceit. It teaches us that true wisdom lies in recognizing our limitations and acknowledging that all talents and abilities are bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By cultivating humility and gratitude, we can strive to use our gifts in a way that benefits others and earns the pleasure of our Creator.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns against the folly of self-admiration and excessive pride. It reminds us to seek true worthiness in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) by cultivating humility, recognizing our limitations, and using our blessings for the betterment of society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the path of humility and righteousness.