Hadith #10502

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. 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,

مَنْ رَضِيَ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ أسْخَطَ رَبَّهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever is pleased with himself angers his Lord.

This amazing Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of humility and self-awareness in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by examining the key words and concepts. The word (radiya) "رَضِيَ" means to be pleased or content, while (nafsihi) "نَفْسِهِ" refers to oneself. The word (askhata) "أسْخَطَ" means to anger or displease, and (rabbahu) "رَبَّهُ" refers to the Lord or the Creator.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 31:18)

And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and warns against arrogance and self-conceit. When a person becomes pleased with themselves and considers themselves superior to others, they are displaying arrogance, which angers Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states, (Quran 49:11)

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 treating others with respect and refraining from belittling or mocking them. When a person is pleased with themselves, they may develop a sense of superiority and may look down upon others, which is contrary to the teachings of Islam.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true satisfaction and contentment come from seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) rather than being pleased with ourselves. This Hadith serves as a powerful reminder to constantly evaluate our actions, intentions, and character. It encourages us to strive for self-improvement and to avoid complacency.

When a person is pleased with themselves, they may become stagnant in their spiritual growth and fail to recognize their flaws and weaknesses. This can lead to a lack of motivation to seek forgiveness and rectify their mistakes. On the other hand, when a person is self-aware and acknowledges their shortcomings, they are more likely to seek repentance, strive for self-improvement, and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed immense knowledge and wisdom, and his words serve as a guiding light for Muslims. His thought-provoking saying in this Hadith urges us to constantly reflect upon our actions, intentions, and character. It reminds us to remain humble, seek self-improvement, and strive for the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of humility and self-awareness in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It warns against being pleased with oneself, as it leads to arrogance and displeases our Lord. By constantly evaluating our actions and seeking self-improvement, we can strive for the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and avoid the pitfalls of self-conceit. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and humility to continuously seek His pleasure and avoid arrogance.