Hadith #5164

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "ألأَطْرافُ مَجالِسُ الأشْرافِ۔" This can be translated as,

The peripheries are the sitting places of the honourable.

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

The word (al-atraf) "ألأَطْرافُ" refers to the peripheries or the outskirts. It signifies the edges or boundaries of a gathering or assembly. The word (majalis) "مَجالِسُ" means sitting places or gatherings. And (al-ashraf) "الأشْرافِ" refers to the honourable or noble individuals.

To understand the deeper meaning 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 the importance of recognizing and appreciating the diversity among people. It teaches us that superiority lies not in one's lineage or social status, but in their righteousness and piety. The "honourable" mentioned in the Hadith are those who possess noble qualities such as knowledge, wisdom, piety, and good character.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of the peripheries or outskirts of gatherings. It implies that the true essence of nobility and honor can be found in those who are humble and modest, rather than those who seek prominence and attention. The peripheries symbolize a position of humility and modesty, where one is not seeking recognition or power.

In Surah Al-Kahf (18:28), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.

This verse teaches us the importance of surrounding ourselves with righteous individuals who are dedicated to the worship of Allah. It advises us not to be swayed by the allure of worldly possessions and not to follow those who are heedless of Allah's remembrance. By staying in the peripheries, we are more likely to be in the company of the honorable and righteous.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement encourages us to seek knowledge and wisdom from those who are truly honorable and righteous. It reminds us that true honor lies in humility, piety, and seeking the pleasure of Allah. By sitting in the peripheries, we can learn from the wise and virtuous individuals who may not seek the limelight but possess profound knowledge and understanding.

Furthermore, this Hadith serves as a reminder for us to be humble and modest in our own conduct. It urges us to avoid seeking prominence and attention, and instead focus on developing our inner qualities and character. By doing so, we can become honorable individuals in the sight of Allah and earn the respect and admiration of others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the peripheries or outskirts of gatherings are the sitting places of the honorable. It emphasizes the importance of humility, modesty, and seeking knowledge from those who possess noble qualities. By staying away from the desire for prominence and focusing on righteousness, we can attain true honor and nobility in the sight of Allah. May Allah guide us all to the path of righteousness and grant us the wisdom to seek knowledge from the honorable.