Hadith #6159

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,

مَنِ اسْتَطالَ عَلَى الإخْوانِ لَمْ يَخْلُصْ لَهُ إنْسانٌ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever is haughty with his brothers, nobody will be sincere with him.

Let us delve into the meaning of some key words in this Hadith. The word (istatala) "استطال" refers to being arrogant, proud, or haughty towards others. It implies looking down upon others and considering oneself superior. The term (al-ikhwan) "الإخوان" refers to one's brothers or fellow Muslims. It encompasses the broader concept of brotherhood and unity within the Muslim community.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of humility and the detrimental consequences of arrogance in several verses. 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.

This verse highlights the need to treat others with respect and avoid arrogance or belittling others.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), Allah warns against the consequences of arrogance, stating,

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.'

This verse serves as a reminder that arrogance leads to oppression and is displeasing to Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the importance of humility and sincerity in our interactions with others, especially our fellow Muslims. When we are haughty or arrogant towards our brothers and sisters in faith, we create a barrier that prevents sincere relationships from forming. Our arrogance hinders the trust and genuine connection that should exist within the Muslim community.

When we look down upon others, we fail to recognize their worth and potential. We disregard the fact that they may possess qualities, knowledge, or virtues that we lack. This arrogance not only damages our relationships but also prevents us from benefiting from the wisdom and insights that others can offer.

On the other hand, when we approach our brothers and sisters with humility and sincerity, we create an environment of trust and mutual respect. We recognize that each individual has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. By acknowledging and appreciating the qualities of others, we foster unity and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood within the Muslim community.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautiful saying serves as a reminder for us to reflect upon our own behavior and attitudes towards others. It encourages us to cultivate humility, to treat others with respect, and to avoid arrogance and haughtiness. By doing so, we not only strengthen our relationships with our fellow Muslims but also strive to attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah guide us all to embody the qualities of humility and sincerity in our interactions with others.