Hadith #9048

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

It does not behove one who knows Allah to become haughty.

This beautiful saying highlights the importance of humility and modesty for those who have deep knowledge and understanding of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (yata'aatham) "يَتَعَاظَمَ" in the Hadith refers to becoming haughty or arrogant. It signifies a sense of superiority and pride, which is contrary to the essence of true knowledge and recognition of Allah. This word is derived from the root word (a'zuma) "عَظُمَ", which means to magnify or elevate oneself.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of humility in the Quran. 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, not in one's lineage or worldly achievements. It reminds us that no one should consider themselves superior to others based on external factors.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), Allah says,

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.

This verse emphasizes that those who do not seek exaltedness or arrogance in this world will be rewarded with a place in the Hereafter. It reinforces the idea that true knowledge of Allah should lead to humility and a rejection of arrogance.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the contradiction between true knowledge of Allah and arrogance. When one truly understands the greatness of Allah, they realize their own insignificance in comparison. This knowledge should humble them and make them more compassionate, merciful, and empathetic towards others.

For example, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) demonstrated immense humility throughout his life, despite being the chosen Messenger of Allah. He would sit and eat with the poor, visit the sick, and treat everyone with kindness and respect. His humility was a reflection of his deep knowledge and recognition of Allah's greatness.

On the other hand, arrogance and haughtiness stem from ignorance and a lack of understanding of Allah's attributes. It blinds individuals to their own flaws and leads them to belittle others. Such behavior is condemned in Islam, as it goes against the teachings of the Quran and the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true knowledge of Allah should lead to humility and modesty. Arrogance and haughtiness are incompatible with the recognition of Allah's greatness. As Muslims, we should strive to cultivate humility in our hearts and treat others with kindness and respect, regardless of their social status or achievements. May Allah guide us all on the path of humility and righteousness.