Hadith #4262

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 اُعْجِبَ بِرَأيِهِ مَلَكَهُ (أهْلَكَهُ) العَجْزُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

One who admires his [own] opinion is overwhelmed (or destroyed) by incompetence.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith to better understand its message. The word (u'jiba) "اُعْجِبَ" refers to being pleased or impressed with one's own opinion. (ra'ihi) "رَأْيِهِ" means opinion or viewpoint. (malakah) "مَلَكَهُ" can be translated as being overwhelmed or destroyed, while (al-'ajz) "العَجْزُ" refers to incompetence or weakness.

To shed light on the profound wisdom of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:3):

Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies. Little do you remember.

This verse emphasizes the importance of adhering to the guidance and teachings of Allah, rather than relying solely on one's own opinions. It reminds us that our intellect and understanding are limited, and that true wisdom lies in following the divine guidance revealed to us.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:36), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

This verse serves as a reminder that we should not pursue matters or form opinions without proper knowledge and understanding. It warns against the dangers of arrogance and the consequences of being overwhelmed by our own incompetence.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, highlights in this Hadith the perils of being overly attached to one's own opinions. When we become enamored with our own thoughts and fail to seek guidance from the divine sources of knowledge, we risk falling into the trap of incompetence and ignorance.

This Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to humbly seek knowledge and guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). It encourages us to be open-minded and receptive to different perspectives, recognizing that true wisdom lies in aligning our thoughts and actions with the divine will.

By reflecting on this Hadith, we can strive to overcome the limitations of our own intellect and seek guidance from the infinite wisdom of Allah. We should approach matters with humility, recognizing that our opinions are fallible and subject to error. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of arrogance and incompetence, and instead, attain true knowledge and understanding.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek knowledge from authentic sources and to be guided by His divine teachings. May He protect us from the perils of arrogance and incompetence, and bless us with the ability to follow the path of truth and righteousness.