Hadith #9028

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 righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إنَّكَ إنْ تَكَبَّرْتَ وَضَعَكَ اللّهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Verily, if you become arrogant, Allah will abase you.

In this wise utterance, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the consequences of arrogance and the divine retribution that awaits those who display such behavior.

To fully comprehend the depth of this Hadith, let us first explore the key words within it. The word (takabbar) "تَكَبَّرْتَ" is derived from the root word (kabira) "كَبِرَ", which means to be arrogant or to display pride. Arrogance is a characteristic that stems from a sense of superiority and a lack of humility before Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is a dangerous trait that blinds individuals to their own faults and prevents them from seeking guidance and improvement.

The word (wada'a) "وَضَعَكَ" is derived from the root word (wada'a) "وَضَعَ", which means to lower or abase. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) response to the arrogance of an individual. It signifies the divine punishment and humiliation that awaits those who allow pride to consume them.

To further understand the gravity of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly warns against arrogance and its dire consequences. In Surah Al-Isra (17:37), Allah 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 of the limited power and authority we possess as human beings. Arrogance blinds us to our own limitations and leads us to overestimate our abilities.

In Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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 but allowed his arrogance to consume him. As a result, he faced a severe punishment from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The consequences of arrogance are not limited to this world alone. In Surah Al-Hajj (22:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

On the Day when every soul will come disputing for itself, and every soul will be fully compensated for what it did, and they will not be wronged.

On the Day of Judgment, those who displayed arrogance in this life will be held accountable for their actions. Their arrogance will be a cause of their own downfall and humiliation before Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to cultivate humility and to guard against the destructive trait of arrogance. It teaches us that true success lies in recognizing our own limitations and submitting to the will of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By humbling ourselves before Allah, we open the doors to His mercy and blessings.

Let us reflect upon this Hadith and strive to rid ourselves of any traces of arrogance. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the pitfalls of pride and grant us the humility to seek His guidance and forgiveness. May we always remember that true honor and success lie in sincere submission to the will of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).