Hadith #9041

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the concept of arrogance and humility in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The key words in this Hadith are (arrogance) "كِبْرِ", (to be arrogant) "تَّكَبُّرَ", and (humility) "تَّواضُعَ".

Arrogance, or "كِبْرِ", is a negative trait that stems from a deep sense of superiority and self-importance. It is a state of mind where one considers themselves better than others and looks down upon them. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has made arrogance detestable and has condemned it in numerous verses of the Quran.

One such verse is in Surah Luqman (31:18), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding arrogance and pride, as it is something that Allah dislikes.

On the other hand, humility, or "تَّواضُعَ", is a positive trait that stems from recognizing one's own limitations and acknowledging the greatness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a state of mind where one is modest, respectful, and considerate towards others. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) exemplified humility in their words and actions.

In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse highlights the importance of recognizing the equality of all human beings and the superiority of righteousness over worldly attributes.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further emphasizes in this Hadith that if Allah were to allow arrogance, He would have permitted it for His Prophets. However, the Prophets were chosen by Allah for their humility and submission to His will. They were the epitome of humility, despite their elevated status and immense knowledge.

The motivation behind this Hadith is to remind Muslims of the importance of humility and the dangers of arrogance. Arrogance not only distances a person from Allah, but it also creates divisions and conflicts among people. By practicing humility, Muslims can foster unity, compassion, and understanding within their communities.

The consequences of arrogance are severe, as it leads to the degradation of one's character and spiritual growth. Arrogance blinds a person to their own faults and prevents them from seeking forgiveness and guidance from Allah. It also hinders their ability to learn from others and benefit from their knowledge and experiences.

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are reminded to constantly evaluate their own attitudes and behaviors. They should strive to cultivate humility in their interactions with others, recognizing that true greatness lies in righteousness and piety. By emulating the humility of the Prophets and their Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Muslims can strengthen their relationship with Allah and contribute positively to society.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to avoid arrogance and embrace humility. It highlights the importance of recognizing the greatness of Allah and the equality of all human beings. By embodying humility in our words and actions, we can strive to attain the pleasure of Allah and foster unity and harmony within our communities. May Allah guide us all on the path of humility and righteousness.