Hadith #9793

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he conveys a powerful message about the true nature of love and praise. Let us delve into the words of this Hadith and explore its deeper meaning in light of the Quran.

The first important word in this Hadith is (yuhibbuka) "يُحِبُّكَ", which means "loves you." This love is not superficial or insincere, but rather a genuine and pure affection that stems from the heart. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that this love can only come from someone who does not (tamallaquka) "تَمَلَّقُكَ", meaning "flatter you." Flattery is the act of insincerely praising someone in order to gain favor or advantage. It is a form of manipulation and deceit, lacking any true affection or sincerity.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against flattery in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 204:

And of the people is he whose speech pleases you in worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the fiercest of opponents.

This verse highlights the deceptive nature of flattery and cautions us against being deceived by those who use it.

On the other hand, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that true praise can only come from someone who does not (yasme'uka) "يَسْمَعُكَ", meaning

make you hear his praise for you.

This implies that genuine praise is not about seeking attention or recognition, but rather it is an expression of admiration and recognition of one's qualities without any ulterior motives.

The Quran also emphasizes the importance of sincere praise. In Surah Al-Isra, verse 80, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And say: Praise be to Allah, who has not taken to Himself a son and who has not a partner in the kingdom, and who has not a helper to save Him from disgrace; and proclaim His greatness magnifying (Him).

This verse reminds us to praise Allah sincerely and without any hidden agendas, acknowledging His absolute sovereignty and uniqueness.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening words in this Hadith serve as a reminder for us as Muslims. It teaches us the importance of genuine love and praise, free from flattery and self-interest. True love is rooted in sincerity, while true praise is humble and selfless.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can draw several important lessons. Firstly, we should strive to cultivate genuine love for one another, devoid of any ulterior motives. This love should be based on recognizing and appreciating the qualities and virtues of our fellow Muslims. Secondly, we should be cautious of flattery and insincere praise, both in our interactions with others and in our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Our worship and praise should be sincere and free from any desire for personal gain or recognition.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to seek genuine love and praise, while avoiding flattery and insincerity. By adhering to these principles, we can foster stronger and more authentic relationships with one another and with our Creator. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us in embodying these teachings and grant us the ability to love and praise sincerely.