Hadith #8460

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 أظْهَرَ فَقْرَهُ أذَلَّ قَدْرَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever manifests his poverty, lowers his status.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (azhara) "أظْهَرَ" means to openly display or manifest. It implies that one openly reveals their poverty, making it known to others. The word (faqrah) "فَقْرَهُ" refers to one's state of poverty or neediness. And finally, the word (adhalla) "أذَلَّ" means to lower or diminish.

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ 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 nobility lies in righteousness and piety, not in material wealth or social status. When one openly displays their poverty, they inadvertently lower their status in the eyes of others. This is because society often associates wealth and material possessions with success and honor. However, Islam teaches us that true honor and worth are determined by one's character, faith, and actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 reminds us to rely on Allah's sustenance and provision, rather than seeking validation or recognition from others through material wealth or social status.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that it is not honorable to openly display one's poverty or neediness. This is not to say that we should hide our struggles or refrain from seeking help when needed. Rather, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining dignity and self-respect, regardless of our financial circumstances.

When one openly displays their poverty, it can lead to negative consequences. It may invite pity or condescension from others, which can diminish one's self-esteem and sense of worth. Additionally, it may create an environment of dependency, where individuals become reliant on the assistance of others rather than striving to improve their own situation.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his teachings were rooted in the principles of the Quran. He understood the importance of maintaining one's dignity and self-worth, regardless of external circumstances. By reminding us to avoid openly displaying our poverty, he encourages us to focus on our inner qualities and strive for righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that openly manifesting our poverty can lower our status in the eyes of others. True honor and worth are determined by our character, faith, and actions, not by material wealth or social status. We should strive to maintain our dignity and self-respect, relying on Allah's sustenance and provision, and seeking assistance when needed without compromising our sense of worth. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to live with honor and righteousness.