Hadith #9631

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,

The ugliest truth is a person’s praise for himself.

This thought-provoking Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the negative aspect of self-praise. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (sidq) "صِدْقِ" in this Hadith refers to truthfulness or sincerity. It signifies the act of expressing something that is true and genuine. The word (thana) "ثَنَاءُ" means praise or commendation. It refers to the act of expressing admiration or approval for someone or something. Lastly, the word (rajul) "رَجُلِ" means a person or an individual.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can refer to the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (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 emphasizes the importance of refraining from ridiculing or insulting others. It highlights the negative consequences of belittling or demeaning someone. Similarly, self-praise falls under the category of arrogance and pride, which are condemned in Islam. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:23),

That is because they said to those who disliked what Allah sent down, 'We will obey you in part of the matter.' And Allah knows what they conceal.

This verse warns against obeying the desires and opinions of others over the commandments of Allah. When a person praises themselves, they are essentially seeking validation and approval from others. This behavior reflects a lack of humility and a disregard for the guidance of Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, understood the detrimental effects of self-praise. He recognized that true praise and commendation should come from others, based on their observations and experiences. Self-praise can lead to arrogance, which is a destructive trait that distances us from Allah and hinders our spiritual growth.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can understand that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging Muslims to cultivate humility and modesty in their interactions with others. Instead of seeking praise for ourselves, we should focus on developing genuine qualities and actions that earn the respect and admiration of those around us. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to avoid self-praise and cultivate humility. It teaches us the importance of seeking validation and commendation from others based on our actions and character. By doing so, we strive to embody the teachings of Islam and strengthen our relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah guide us all to the path of righteousness and protect us from the pitfalls of arrogance and pride.