Hadith #11179

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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,

لاتَضَعْ مَنْ رَفَعَتْهُ التَّقْوى۔

This can be translated as,

Do not dishonor the one who has been elevated by God-wariness.

In this profound statement, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of respecting and honoring individuals who possess piety and God-consciousness. To fully comprehend the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words.

The word (taqwa) "تقوى" refers to God-wariness or piety. It is the state of being conscious of Allah's presence and striving to fulfill His commands while avoiding His prohibitions. Taqwa is a comprehensive concept that encompasses righteousness, fear of Allah, and self-discipline.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us not to dishonor or belittle those who have been elevated by taqwa. This guidance highlights the significance of recognizing and respecting individuals who possess piety and righteousness. Such individuals have attained a high spiritual status due to their devotion to Allah and their adherence to His commands.

To further understand the importance of honoring those elevated by taqwa, 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 that the true measure of nobility and honor lies in righteousness and piety. It is not based on wealth, lineage, or worldly status. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) values individuals who possess taqwa and considers them to be the most honorable in His sight.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 avoiding ridicule and insults towards others. It reminds us that we should not belittle or demean anyone, as they may be better than us in the sight of Allah. This aligns perfectly with the guidance of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the Hadith, where he advises against dishonoring those elevated by taqwa.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement carries profound implications for our interactions with others. It encourages us to recognize and appreciate the qualities of piety and righteousness in individuals, regardless of their worldly status or background. By doing so, we foster an environment of respect, unity, and harmony within the Muslim community.

Moreover, this Hadith serves as a reminder for us to strive for taqwa ourselves. We should aspire to elevate our own levels of God-consciousness and righteousness. By doing so, we not only honor ourselves in the sight of Allah, but we also become a source of inspiration and guidance for others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of honoring individuals who have been elevated by taqwa. It emphasizes that true honor lies in righteousness and piety, as recognized by Allah. By adhering to this guidance, we can foster a culture of respect and unity within the Muslim community, while also striving to elevate our own levels of taqwa. May Allah grant us the ability to embody the teachings of this Hadith and honor those who possess piety.