Hadith #9363

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: "اَللَّئِيمُ لامُرُوَّةَ لَهُ۔" This Hadith can be translated as

The vile one has no magnanimity.

To fully understand the connotation of this Hadith, let us delve into the important words and concepts it encompasses.

The term (al-la'eem) "اللَّئِيمُ" refers to someone who is vile, wicked, or of low character. It describes an individual who lacks moral integrity, kindness, and nobility in their actions and behavior. This person is devoid of virtuous qualities and is inclined towards evil.

The word (laamurrah) "لَامُرُوَّةَ" can be translated as magnanimity, generosity, or nobility of character. It signifies the quality of being honorable, benevolent, and having a noble disposition. It encompasses acts of kindness, compassion, and selflessness towards others.

To shed light on the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of noble character and warns against vile behavior in numerous verses.

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 lies in righteousness and piety. It is not determined by one's lineage, wealth, or social status. The vile one, who lacks moral integrity and righteousness, cannot possess true magnanimity.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qalam (68:4), Allah describes the character of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), saying,

And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

The Prophet (ﷺ) was known for his exceptional moral conduct, kindness, and generosity. His noble character serves as an exemplar for all Muslims to follow.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), being the gate to the city of knowledge, possessed immense wisdom and knowledge. He was a paragon of noble character, known for his generosity, justice, and compassion. His actions and teachings were in perfect alignment with the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true magnanimity and nobility of character cannot coexist with vile and wicked behavior. A person who is vile in their actions, lacking moral integrity and righteousness, cannot be truly generous or magnanimous. Their actions are driven by selfishness, greed, and a disregard for the well-being of others.

This Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to strive for moral excellence and to distance themselves from vile behavior. It encourages us to cultivate noble qualities such as kindness, compassion, and generosity in our interactions with others. By embodying the teachings of Islam and following the noble examples set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt, we can attain true magnanimity and become a source of goodness and benefit for humanity.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody noble character and to distance ourselves from vile behavior. May He guide us to follow the teachings of the Quran and the noble examples set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. Ameen.