Hadith #10485

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ عَظَّمَ نَفْسَهُ حُقِّرَ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever considers himself to be great is humiliated.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. The word (az-zama) "عَظَّمَ" means to consider oneself great or to exalt oneself. It implies an inflated sense of self-importance and arrogance. On the other hand, the word (huqqira) "حُقِّرَ" means to be humiliated or belittled. It signifies a state of disgrace and loss of honor.

This Hadith highlights the importance of humility and the dangers of arrogance in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It serves as a reminder to Muslims that true greatness lies in humility and submission to the will of Allah. Arrogance, on the other hand, leads to humiliation and loss of dignity.

The Quran provides numerous verses that emphasize the significance of humility and warn against arrogance. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah 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 teaches us that belittling others based on our own perceived greatness is not only disrespectful but also a sign of arrogance. Allah reminds us that we should not judge others based on superficial criteria, as they may possess qualities and virtues that we are unaware of. By practicing humility and refraining from demeaning others, we protect ourselves from humiliation and maintain the honor bestowed upon us by Allah.

Another verse that sheds light on the consequences of arrogance is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), where Allah says,

Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, 'Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.'

The story of Qarun serves as a cautionary tale against arrogance and self-glorification. Qarun, despite his wealth and power, became arrogant and oppressed his own people. As a result, he was ultimately humiliated and his treasures were of no avail to him. This verse serves as a reminder that true greatness lies in humility and obedience to Allah, and that arrogance leads to a downfall.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes the teachings of the Quran and emphasizes the importance of humility in the eyes of Allah. It serves as a reminder to Muslims that true greatness is not measured by worldly possessions or status, but by one's character, piety, and submission to the will of Allah.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded to constantly evaluate our intentions and actions. We should strive to cultivate humility in our hearts, recognizing that any greatness we possess is solely by the grace of Allah. By humbling ourselves before Allah and treating others with respect and kindness, we can protect ourselves from the humiliation that comes with arrogance.

May Allah guide us all to embody the true spirit of humility and protect us from the pitfalls of arrogance. Ameen.