Hadith #7037

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "آفَةُ اللُّبِّ العُجْبُ۔" This can be translated as,

The bane of intellect is self-conceit.

Let us delve into the meaning of this statement in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. "آفَةُ" refers to a harmful or destructive element, while "اللُّبِّ" refers to the intellect or the faculty of understanding. Lastly, "العُجْبُ" refers to self-conceit or arrogance.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of humility and warns against the dangers of arrogance. In Surah Al-Isra (17:37), 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 reminds us that no matter how knowledgeable or accomplished we may be, we should never let it lead to arrogance or pride.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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 highlights the importance of seeking humility and avoiding arrogance in this world, as it is a characteristic of the righteous who will be rewarded in the Hereafter.

Now, let us reflect on the beautiful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement. The bane of intellect is self-conceit because when one becomes arrogant due to their knowledge or understanding, it hinders their ability to truly comprehend and benefit from the wisdom and guidance that Allah has bestowed upon us.

Arrogance blinds the intellect and prevents one from acknowledging their own shortcomings and seeking further knowledge and guidance. It creates a sense of superiority and closes the doors of growth and improvement. This is why self-conceit is considered a destructive element that hampers the intellect.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, warns us against falling into the trap of self-conceit. He reminds us that true intellect lies in humility, in recognizing our limitations, and in constantly seeking knowledge and guidance from Allah.

When we approach the Quran and the teachings of Islam with humility, we open ourselves up to a deeper understanding and a greater connection with our Creator. We become receptive to the wisdom and guidance that Allah has revealed, and we are able to apply it in our lives for the betterment of ourselves and society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to guard against the destructive element of self-conceit. It highlights the importance of humility in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. By humbling ourselves and seeking guidance from Allah, we can truly benefit from the intellect that He has blessed us with. May Allah protect us from the bane of self-conceit and grant us the wisdom to seek knowledge with humility.