Hadith #3321

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights five types of individuals who are deserving of humiliation. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound hadith and explore its significance in light of the Quran.

The first category mentioned is

the one who interferes between two people when they have not involved him in their affair.

This refers to someone who unnecessarily involves themselves in the private matters of others, causing discord and disharmony. The Quran emphasizes the importance of respecting the privacy and autonomy of individuals in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

The second category mentioned is

the one who issues commands to the owner of the house [while] in his house.

This refers to someone who oversteps their boundaries and tries to exert authority in someone else's domain. The Quran emphasizes the importance of respecting the rights and autonomy of others in Surah An-Nur (24:27), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, do not enter houses other than your own houses until you ascertain welcome and greet their inhabitants. That is best for you; perhaps you will be reminded.

The third category mentioned is

the one who approaches a dining table when he has not been invited to do so.

This refers to someone who lacks manners and etiquette, barging into gatherings without being invited. The Quran emphasizes the importance of etiquette and manners in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

The fourth category mentioned is

the one who continues talking when nobody is listening.

This refers to someone who persists in speaking even when there is no audience or receptiveness. The Quran emphasizes the importance of speaking with wisdom and purpose in Surah Al-A'raf (7:205), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.

The fifth and final category mentioned is

the one who sits in the place where he has no right to sit.

This refers to someone who occupies a position or place without deserving it. The Quran emphasizes the importance of justice and fairness in Surah An-Nisa (4:58), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights these five types of individuals as deserving of humiliation because their actions go against the principles of respect, privacy, manners, wisdom, and justice. By drawing attention to these negative behaviors, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages Muslims to reflect upon their own conduct and strive to embody the qualities of humility, respect, and righteousness.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be mindful of their actions and interactions with others. It teaches us the importance of respecting the boundaries and rights of individuals, practicing good manners and etiquette, and upholding justice and fairness in all aspects of our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to embody these noble qualities and protect us from actions that lead to humiliation.