Hadith #6758

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

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

One who seeks honour through [anyone] other than Allah is abased.

Let us delve into the meaning of this statement and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (i'tazza) "اعْتَزَّ" in the Hadith means to seek honor, dignity, or prestige. It refers to the act of valuing oneself and seeking recognition and respect from others. However, the Hadith warns against seeking this honor through anyone other than Allah. It emphasizes that true honor and dignity can only be attained through Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This Hadith echoes the teachings of the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes that all honor and dignity belong to Him alone. In Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:8), Allah says,

But honor belongs to Allah and His Messenger, and to the believers.

This verse highlights that true honor is derived from faith in Allah and following the guidance of His Messenger (ﷺ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hajj (22:77), Allah states,

O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.

This verse emphasizes that success and honor can only be achieved through sincere worship of Allah and performing righteous deeds.

Seeking honor through anyone other than Allah leads to humiliation and abasement. This is because when one places their trust and seeks validation from fallible human beings, they are bound to be disappointed. People's opinions and judgments are subjective and can change, whereas Allah's judgment is just and eternal.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:165), Allah reminds us,

And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.

This verse highlights the danger of seeking honor through others, as it leads to associating partners with Allah and diluting one's love and devotion to Him.

When we seek honor through Allah alone, we are freed from the shackles of worldly validation and the fear of judgment from others. Our actions become solely focused on pleasing Allah and seeking His pleasure. This leads to a sense of tranquility and contentment, as we are no longer dependent on the opinions of fallible human beings.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his unparalleled knowledge and wisdom, reminds us of the consequences of seeking honor through anyone other than Allah. By doing so, we subject ourselves to the whims and biases of others, compromising our integrity and true potential. On the other hand, when we seek honor through Allah, we align ourselves with the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance, enabling us to reach our full potential and attain true honor and dignity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims. It urges us to seek honor and dignity through Allah alone, recognizing that true honor lies in His pleasure and obedience. By doing so, we free ourselves from the limitations of worldly validation and find solace in the eternal honor bestowed upon us by our Creator. May Allah guide us all to seek His honor and protect us from seeking honor through anyone other than Him.