Hadith #10442

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

طُوبى لِمَنْ ذَلَّ في نَفْسِهِ وعَزَّ بِطاعَتِهِ وغَنِيَ بِقَناعَتِِهِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

Blessed is he who considers himself as low, gains honour through his obedience [to Allah] and becomes free from want through his contentment.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound Hadith by examining the key words and concepts it presents. The first important word is (dalla) "ذَلَّ", which means to consider oneself as low or humble. It signifies the recognition of one's own weaknesses, limitations, and dependence on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This humility is not a sign of weakness, but rather a strength that allows one to acknowledge their imperfections and seek improvement.

The second significant word is (izza) "عَزَّ", which means to gain honor or dignity. It refers to the elevation of one's status and character through their obedience to Allah. This obedience encompasses all aspects of life, including fulfilling the obligations prescribed by Allah and following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). By adhering to the divine commandments, a person attains a noble position in the sight of Allah and is granted honor and respect among the people.

The third crucial word is (qana'ati) "قَنَاعَةِ", which means contentment or satisfaction. It signifies being pleased and grateful with what Allah has provided, regardless of the quantity or quality. Contentment is the antidote to greed, envy, and materialism. It allows a person to find inner peace and tranquility, irrespective of their worldly possessions. When one is content with what Allah has decreed for them, they become spiritually rich and free from the constant pursuit of material wealth.

To further understand the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13):

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that true honor and nobility lie in righteousness and piety. It is not based on one's lineage, wealth, or worldly status. Therefore, the one who considers themselves low in the sight of Allah, acknowledging their weaknesses and striving to improve, is indeed the one who attains true honor and dignity.

Another verse that complements the teachings of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Isra (17:80):

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse highlights the importance of relying on Allah and seeking His assistance in all aspects of life. When a person humbles themselves before Allah, seeking His guidance and relying on His sustenance, they are granted strength and stability in their affairs.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages us to adopt a mindset of humility, obedience, and contentment. By considering ourselves as lowly servants of Allah, we gain honor through our devotion and obedience to Him. Through contentment with what Allah has provided, we become spiritually rich and free from the constant pursuit of material wealth.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize their relationship with Allah and to strive for inner purification. It teaches us that true success and happiness lie in recognizing our weaknesses, obeying Allah's commands, and finding contentment in His decree. By embodying these qualities, we can attain a state of tranquility, righteousness, and honor in this world and the Hereafter.

May Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) grant us the ability to embody the teachings of this Hadith and to attain true honor and contentment in our lives. Ameen.