Hadith #9370

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) serves as a profound guidance for Muslims in dealing with individuals who may hold ill intentions or harbor animosity towards them. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its important words and their meanings in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (al-la'eem) "اللَّئيمُ" and (ijlaalan) "إجْلالاً", which can be translated as "the vile one" and "reverence" respectively. The word (idhlaalan) "إذْلالاً" means "scorn" or "humiliation." Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us that when someone who is vile or wicked increases their reverence towards us, we should respond by increasing our scorn or humiliation towards them.

To understand the significance of this advice, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Furqan, verse 63:

And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.

This verse emphasizes the importance of responding to harshness with peace and humility, rather than allowing ourselves to be consumed by anger or revenge.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 199, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) instructs Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to

repel evil with that which is better.

This verse highlights the principle of responding to negativity with kindness and goodness, as a means of diffusing tension and promoting harmony.

However, it is important to note that Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith is not contradictory to these Quranic teachings. Rather, it provides a deeper insight into the complexities of human interactions. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) acknowledges that there may be individuals who, despite their vile nature, may attempt to manipulate or deceive others by showing false reverence. In such cases, increasing our scorn or humiliation towards them becomes a means of protecting ourselves from their harmful intentions.

To illustrate this, let us consider an example. Imagine a person who has a history of spreading rumors and causing discord within a community. This individual, realizing that their actions have caused them to be disliked by others, may attempt to gain favor by showing excessive reverence towards certain individuals. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to be deceived by such behavior, but rather to increase our scorn or humiliation towards them. By doing so, we assert our boundaries and protect ourselves from being manipulated or harmed.

The consequences of following Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice in this Hadith are twofold. Firstly, it serves as a deterrent for those who may attempt to deceive or harm us. When they see that their false reverence is met with increased scorn, they are less likely to continue their harmful behavior. Secondly, it empowers us to maintain our integrity and self-respect in the face of adversity. By responding with scorn or humiliation, we assert our worth and refuse to be swayed by the manipulations of the vile.

In reflecting upon this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of discernment and wisdom in our interactions with others. While the Quran teaches us to respond to negativity with kindness and peace, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with additional guidance for dealing with individuals who may harbor ill intentions. By increasing our scorn or humiliation towards those who falsely revere us, we protect ourselves and maintain our integrity.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to navigate the complexities of human interactions and protect us from the harm of the vile. And may peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.