Hadith #9392

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.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The vile one is recognized by [his] evil action, ugly character and blameworthy miserliness.

This thought-provoking Hadith highlights the characteristics of a person who is considered vile or wicked. Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding.

The word (la'eem) "لئيم" refers to someone who is vile, wicked, or morally corrupt. It describes a person who consistently engages in evil actions and possesses a depraved character. This individual is known for their immoral behavior and lacks the qualities of righteousness and goodness.

The term (su'u al-fa'il) "سوء الفعل" refers to evil actions or deeds. It encompasses any act that goes against the teachings of Islam and is morally reprehensible. These actions can include lying, cheating, backbiting, and any other behavior that harms others or violates the principles of justice and fairness.

The phrase (qubh al-khulq) "قبح الخلق" refers to an ugly character or disposition. It signifies the inner qualities of a person that are repulsive and unbecoming. This includes traits such as arrogance, jealousy, anger, and dishonesty. A person with a blameworthy character lacks the virtues of kindness, compassion, and integrity.

Lastly, (dhamim al-bukhl) "ذميم البخل" refers to blameworthy miserliness. It describes a person who is excessively stingy, unwilling to share their wealth or resources with others. This individual is characterized by their greed and unwillingness to give to those in need, even when they have the means to do so.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has repeatedly emphasized the importance of good deeds, noble character, and generosity.

In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 2:177)

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves

This verse highlights the importance of giving wealth to those in need, which is the opposite of blameworthy miserliness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah, Allah says, (Quran 5:2)

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression

This verse emphasizes the importance of engaging in righteous actions and avoiding sinful behavior. It is a reminder that evil actions, as mentioned in the Hadith, are not aligned with righteousness and piety.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be vigilant in recognizing the signs of wickedness and to strive towards goodness in their actions, character, and generosity. It highlights the importance of embodying the teachings of Islam and avoiding the traits of a vile individual.

By reflecting on this Hadith and aligning our actions with the teachings of the Quran, we can strive to be individuals of righteousness, noble character, and generosity. May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of goodness and protect us from the traits of the vile.