Hadith #9013

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to

suppress the manifestations of pride and restrain the flashes (or risings) of arrogance.

This profound statement emphasizes the importance of humility and the dangers of arrogance in the life of a Muslim.

Let us delve deeper into the words used in this Hadith. The word (nawajima) "نَواجِمَ" refers to the manifestations or outward expressions of pride. It signifies the various ways in which pride can manifest itself in our actions, speech, and demeanor. These manifestations can include boastfulness, arrogance, belittling others, and seeking superiority over others.

On the other hand, the word (lawamia) "لَوامِعَ" refers to the flashes or risings of arrogance. It represents the internal feelings of arrogance that arise within a person's heart and mind. These flashes can lead to a sense of superiority, self-importance, and a disregard for the rights and dignity of others.

To understand the significance of suppressing pride and arrogance, we turn to the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of humility and warns against arrogance.

In Surah Al-Isra (17:37), Allah says,

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 great our achievements may be, we should never let them lead to arrogance or a sense of superiority. We are mere creations of Allah, and it is He who has bestowed upon us our abilities and blessings.

Furthermore, in Surah Luqman (31:18), Allah advises us,

And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.

This verse highlights the displeasure of Allah towards those who display arrogance and pride. It serves as a reminder that true success lies in humility and recognizing our dependence on Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) guidance in this Hadith urges us to suppress the outward manifestations of pride and restrain the internal flashes of arrogance. By doing so, we can cultivate a humble and virtuous character, which is pleasing to Allah and beneficial for our own spiritual growth.

Suppressing the manifestations of pride requires us to be mindful of our words and actions. We should avoid boasting about our accomplishments, belittling others, or seeking attention and praise. Instead, we should strive to be modest, humble, and respectful towards others, recognizing their worth and contributions.

Restraint of the flashes of arrogance entails controlling our thoughts and emotions. We should be vigilant of any feelings of superiority or entitlement that may arise within us. By acknowledging our own limitations and weaknesses, we can develop a sense of humility and gratitude towards Allah for His blessings.

The consequences of failing to suppress pride and arrogance are manifold. Arrogance distances us from Allah and hinders our spiritual growth. It leads to a sense of entitlement, selfishness, and a disregard for the rights and feelings of others. Arrogance also creates divisions among people, as it fosters a sense of superiority and fuels conflicts and animosity.

On the other hand, embracing humility and suppressing pride brings about numerous benefits. It strengthens our relationship with Allah, as humility is a key characteristic of a true believer. It fosters unity and harmony among people, as humility allows us to recognize the worth and dignity of every individual. Humility also opens the doors of knowledge and wisdom, as it enables us to learn from others and seek guidance from those who are more knowledgeable.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to suppress the manifestations of pride and restrain the flashes of arrogance. By cultivating humility and recognizing our dependence on Allah, we can attain spiritual growth, foster unity, and seek the pleasure of our Creator. May Allah guide us all to embody the teachings of this Hadith and protect us from the dangers of pride and arrogance.