Hadith #6760

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ يَطْلُبِ العِزَّ بِغَيْرِ حَقّ يَذِلُّ۔

This can be translated as,

One who seeks glory without having any right to it gets humiliated.

To understand the essence of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and their implications. The word (izz) "عِزَّ" refers to honor, dignity, and glory. It is a state of being respected and esteemed. (bi ghayri haqq) "بِغَيْرِ حَقّ" means without any right or justification. And (yadhillu) "يَذِلُّ" means to be humiliated, disgraced, or brought low.

This Hadith highlights the importance of seeking honor and glory through legitimate means, in accordance with the teachings of Islam. It warns against seeking honor through unjust means, such as arrogance, oppression, or deceit. Such actions not only lead to humiliation in this world but also have severe consequences in the hereafter.

The Quran provides us with several verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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 emphasizes that true honor and glory come from righteousness and piety, not from one's lineage, wealth, or worldly achievements. It is the level of faith and good deeds that determines a person's status in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Therefore, seeking honor through unjust means is futile and ultimately leads to humiliation.

Another verse that supports the exegesis of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), where 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 reminds us that true honor and glory lie in seeking the rewards of the Hereafter, rather than pursuing worldly power and status. Those who do not desire exaltedness in this world, but instead focus on righteousness and avoiding corruption, will be granted the best outcome in the Hereafter. Their humility and sincerity will be rewarded with eternal honor and glory.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, teaches us through this Hadith that seeking honor without any right to it is a futile endeavor. It is a reflection of arrogance and a lack of understanding of the true sources of honor in Islam. True honor comes from living a life of righteousness, humility, and devotion to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

When individuals seek glory through unjust means, they may achieve temporary success and recognition in the eyes of the world. However, their actions will ultimately lead to their own downfall and humiliation. This can be observed throughout history, where tyrants and oppressors have faced disgrace and humiliation despite their temporary power and authority.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek honor and glory through legitimate means, in accordance with the teachings of Islam. It warns against the pursuit of false glory and highlights the consequences of seeking honor without any right to it. True honor lies in righteousness, piety, and devotion to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and those who understand this will be rewarded with eternal honor and glory in the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to the path of righteousness and grant us true honor in this life and the Hereafter.