Hadith #10119

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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,

إنَّما النُّبْلُ اَلتَّبَرِّي عَنِ الْمَخازي۔

This can be translated as,

Verily nobility is nothing but the shunning of disgraceful actions.

Let us delve into the significance of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (nobility) "نُبْلُ" in this Hadith refers to a state of honor, dignity, and excellence. It is a quality that elevates an individual's character and distinguishes them from others. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that true nobility lies in (shunning) "التَّبَرِّي" of (disgraceful actions) "الْمَخَازِي". The word "تَبَرِّي" implies distancing oneself from something, while "مَخَازِي" refers to actions that bring shame, dishonor, and humiliation.

The Quran supports this concept of nobility through the teachings of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah says,

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 highlights that true nobility is not based on lineage, wealth, or social status, but rather on righteousness and piety. It is the purity of one's heart and their adherence to the commandments of Allah that determines their true nobility.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qalam (68:4), Allah describes the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as being on a sublime level of character, saying,

And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

The Prophet (ﷺ) exemplified the highest form of nobility through his impeccable character, kindness, and compassion towards all. He shunned any actions that were disgraceful and upheld the values of justice, honesty, and integrity.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the gate to the city of knowledge, possessed immense wisdom and knowledge of the Quran. He understood that true nobility is not merely a superficial display, but rather a reflection of one's inner self. It is the conscious choice to distance oneself from any actions that bring shame or harm to oneself or others.

By shunning disgraceful actions, individuals elevate their character and become a source of inspiration and guidance for others. They become role models who promote righteousness, justice, and compassion in society. This noble behavior has far-reaching consequences, as it not only benefits the individual but also positively impacts the community at large.

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims are reminded to constantly evaluate their actions and strive for nobility in all aspects of their lives. They are encouraged to distance themselves from any behavior that contradicts the teachings of Islam and to uphold the values of righteousness, honesty, and kindness. By doing so, they can attain true nobility in the sight of Allah and become beacons of light in a world filled with darkness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true nobility lies in shunning disgraceful actions. This concept is supported by various Quranic verses that emphasize the importance of righteousness and moral character. Muslims are urged to embody this noble quality by distancing themselves from any behavior that brings shame or harm. By doing so, they can attain true nobility in the sight of Allah and become a source of inspiration for others. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the strength to shun disgraceful actions.