Hadith #9014

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the dangers of arrogance. The Arabic word used in the Hadith is (alkibr) "الكِبْرَ", which refers to a sense of superiority and self-importance that leads to looking down upon others and rejecting the truth. It is a quality that distances one from the path of righteousness and leads to tyranny and disobedience to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The importance of avoiding arrogance is emphasized in the Quran as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:37):

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 that no matter how powerful or influential we may think we are, we are still limited beings in the grand scheme of creation. Arrogance blinds us to our own weaknesses and prevents us from recognizing the greatness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Arrogance also leads to disobedience to the Most Merciful. The Hadith states that it is (ma'siyat al-Rahman) "مَعْصيَةُ الرَّحْمنِ", which means disobedience to Allah, the Most Merciful. This disobedience can manifest in various forms, such as rejecting the commandments of Allah, belittling the rights of others, and refusing to seek forgiveness and repentance.

In Surah Al-A'raf (7:146), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the arrogance of the people of Pharaoh, who refused to submit to the message of Prophet Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). They said,

We will never believe in you until we see Allah outright.

This arrogance and stubbornness led to their destruction and punishment.

Arrogance also prevents us from seeking knowledge and guidance. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:175), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes those who are arrogant as being like cattle,

nay, they are even more astray in their way.

This verse highlights the ignorance and misguidedness that comes with arrogance. When we think we know everything and refuse to humble ourselves, we close ourselves off from the truth and guidance that Allah has bestowed upon us.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, warns us about the dangers of arrogance because he understood its destructive consequences. Arrogance not only distances us from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), but it also harms our relationships with others. It creates division, animosity, and injustice in society. By recognizing our own limitations and humbling ourselves before Allah, we can foster unity, compassion, and righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of arrogance. It is a quality that leads to tyranny, disobedience to Allah, and distances us from the path of righteousness. By seeking humility and recognizing our own limitations, we can strive to be better servants of Allah and foster a more just and compassionate society. May Allah protect us from the dangers of arrogance and guide us on the straight path.