Hadith #8071

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,

كَمْ مِنْ مَغْرُور بِحُسْنِ القَوْلِ فيهِ۔

which translates to

How many a person is deluded by the good that is spoken about him.

This wise utterance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the danger of being deceived by the praise and flattery of others.

Let us delve deeper into the words used in this Hadith. The word (maghroor) "مَغْرُور" refers to someone who is deceived or deluded. It implies that a person becomes arrogant or conceited due to the compliments and praises they receive. The word (husn al-qawl) "حُسْنِ القَوْلِ" means good words or positive remarks. It encompasses any form of praise, admiration, or flattery that is directed towards an individual.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us 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 reminds us not to belittle or mock others, as we may not truly know their worth in the sight of Allah. Similarly, when we receive praise, we should not let it inflate our egos or lead us astray. We must remain humble and grounded, recognizing that true worth lies in the sight of Allah alone.

Another verse that sheds light on the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Isra (17:37), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.

This verse serves as a reminder that no matter how much praise we receive, we should not let it lead us to arrogance. We are mere creations of Allah, and our true value lies in our humility and submission to Him. Just as we cannot tear the earth apart or reach the heights of mountains, our accomplishments and praises should not make us think we are superior to others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a cautionary reminder for all Muslims. It highlights the importance of remaining humble and not being swayed by the opinions and praises of others. The danger lies in becoming complacent, thinking that we have reached a high spiritual station or that we are better than others due to the compliments we receive.

When we become deluded by the good that is spoken about us, we may lose sight of our flaws and weaknesses. This can hinder our personal growth and prevent us from striving towards self-improvement. Moreover, it can create a false sense of superiority, leading to arrogance and a lack of empathy towards others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, reminds us to be wary of falling into this trap. He encourages us to seek self-awareness and to constantly evaluate our actions and intentions, regardless of the praise or criticism we receive from others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for all Muslims to remain humble and not be deceived by the good that is spoken about them. We must remember that true worth lies in the sight of Allah alone, and we should strive for self-improvement and self-awareness, regardless of the opinions and praises of others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the dangers of arrogance and guide us on the path of humility.