Hadith #6508

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 noble companions.

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

مَنْ أُعْجِبَ بِعَمَلِهِ أحْبَطَ أجْرَهُ۔

This Hadith warns us about the danger of becoming conceited or proud due to our own actions, as it leads to the nullification of the reward for those actions.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. The word (u'jiba) "أُعْجِبَ" is derived from the root word (ajaba) "عَجَبَ", which means to be amazed, astonished, or impressed. It refers to the feeling of self-satisfaction and pride that one experiences when they are pleased with their own actions. The word (amalihi) "عَمَلِهِ" means his own action or deed. And the word (ahbata) "أَحْبَطَ" means to nullify, invalidate, or render something void.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran, which is the ultimate source of guidance for all Muslims. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of humility and sincerity in our actions. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 83, Allah says,

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.

This verse reminds us that true success lies in seeking the reward of the Hereafter, not in seeking worldly recognition or praise.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 18, Allah warns against the dangers of arrogance and pride, saying,

Indeed, Allah loves not any arrogant boaster.

This verse highlights the importance of humility in our actions and warns us against becoming conceited by our own deeds. It is a reminder that our actions should be solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and not the admiration of others.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder that any sense of self-satisfaction or pride in our actions can negate the reward that we would have otherwise received. When we become impressed with our own deeds, we shift our focus from seeking the pleasure of Allah to seeking validation from others. This shift in intention corrupts the sincerity of our actions and diminishes their value in the eyes of Allah.

For example, if a person performs a charitable act with the intention of gaining praise and recognition from others, their reward is diminished because their intention was not solely for the sake of Allah. On the other hand, if a person performs the same charitable act purely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and expecting no reward or recognition from anyone else, their reward is multiplied.

The consequences of becoming conceited by our actions are grave. It not only nullifies the reward for those actions but also leads to spiritual arrogance and a false sense of superiority. This arrogance can blind us to our own shortcomings and prevent us from seeking forgiveness and improvement. It hinders our spiritual growth and distances us from the path of righteousness.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of constantly purifying our intentions and seeking sincerity in all our actions. We should strive to perform deeds solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and expecting our reward from Him alone. By doing so, we safeguard ourselves from the dangers of pride and ensure that our actions are accepted and rewarded by Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder to Muslims of the dangers of becoming conceited by our own actions. It warns us that any sense of self-satisfaction or pride in our deeds can nullify the reward for those actions. We are reminded to seek sincerity and humility in all our actions, constantly purifying our intentions and seeking the pleasure of Allah alone. May Allah guide us to perform righteous deeds with pure intentions and protect us from the pitfalls of arrogance.