Hadith #10508

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) states,

Whoever is pleased with himself, many are angry with him.

This Hadith highlights the consequences of being self-satisfied and complacent, as it leads to the displeasure and anger of others towards that individual.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us analyze the key words and their implications. The word (radiya) "رَضِيَ" means to be pleased or satisfied, while (nafsihi) "نَفْسِهِ" refers to oneself. The word (kathura) "كَثُرَ" means many or numerous, and (assakhitu) "السّاخِطُ" refers to those who are angry or displeased.

This Hadith can be further illuminated by referencing the Quranic verses that emphasize the importance of humility, self-reflection, and the consequences of arrogance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse highlights the importance of not being pleased with oneself to the extent that it leads to arrogance and ridicule of others. It reminds us that we should not belittle or insult others, as they may be better than us in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Arrogance and self-satisfaction can lead to the displeasure and anger of those around us, as they perceive our behavior as disrespectful and condescending.

Another verse that sheds light on the consequences of being pleased with oneself is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, 'Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.'

This verse narrates the story of Qarun, who was blessed with immense wealth and resources. However, he became arrogant and proud, leading to his oppression of others. His people warned him against exulting in his wealth, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) does not favor those who exult in their worldly possessions. Qarun's arrogance and self-satisfaction ultimately led to his downfall and the anger of his people.

From these Quranic verses, we can understand the impactful message behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. It serves as a reminder for Muslims to avoid becoming complacent and self-satisfied, as it can lead to the displeasure and anger of others. Instead, we should strive for humility, self-reflection, and continuous self-improvement.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his teachings were rooted in the principles of the Quran. Through this Hadith, he emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the need to constantly evaluate our actions and intentions. By doing so, we can avoid arrogance and ensure that our behavior is pleasing to both Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and our fellow Muslims.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to avoid being pleased with themselves to the extent that it leads to arrogance and disregard for others. It highlights the consequences of such behavior, as it can result in the displeasure and anger of those around us. By striving for humility and continuous self-improvement, we can ensure that our actions are in line with the teachings of the Quran and the noble example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the wisdom to avoid arrogance and self-satisfaction.