Hadith #6160

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of arrogance and abuse of power. The key words in this Hadith are (istatala) "استطال" which means "to be haughty" or "to be arrogant," (annas) "الناس" which means "people," and (qudratihi) "قدرته" which means "his authority" or "his power."

To understand the wise message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against arrogance and pride in several verses. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 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 desire exaltedness or arrogance in this world will be rewarded in the Hereafter.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Isra, verse 37, Allah 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 serves as a reminder that no matter how powerful or authoritative a person may be, they should not let it lead to arrogance and pride.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith warns against abusing one's authority and mistreating others due to their position of power. It serves as a reminder that true leadership is not about exerting control and dominance over others, but rather about serving and uplifting them. Arrogance and haughtiness can lead to the downfall of a person's authority and respect.

We can see the consequences of arrogance and abuse of power throughout history. Many leaders who became intoxicated with their authority ended up losing the support and trust of their people. Their actions caused division, unrest, and ultimately led to their downfall. On the other hand, leaders who displayed humility, compassion, and justice were able to gain the respect and loyalty of their followers.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself was the epitome of knowledge, wisdom, and justice. His authority and power were never used to oppress or mistreat others. He was known for his humility and compassion towards the people. This Hadith reflects his teachings and serves as a reminder for Muslims to follow his example.

As Muslims, we should strive to emulate the qualities of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and avoid arrogance and abuse of power. We should use our authority and influence to serve and benefit others, rather than to oppress or exploit them. By doing so, we can ensure the preservation of our authority and the respect of those around us.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the pitfalls of arrogance and grant us the wisdom to use our authority for the betterment of humanity.