Hadith #9372

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

دَوْلَةُ اللِّئامِ مَذَلَّةُ الكِرامِ۔

This can be translated as,

The dominion of the vile is the humiliation of the honourable.

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

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (dawlah) "دَوْلَةُ" refers to dominion or rule, indicating the authority and power that a person or group possesses. (al-li'aam) "اللِّئامِ" refers to the vile or ignoble individuals, those who are morally corrupt and devoid of noble qualities. On the other hand, (al-kiraam) "الكِرامِ" refers to the honourable or noble individuals, those who possess virtuous qualities and uphold moral values.

To comprehend the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:176),

And if We had willed, We could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.

This verse highlights the consequences of adhering to one's base desires and rejecting the signs of Allah. Those who choose to follow their own whims and desires, without considering the moral and ethical principles laid out by Allah, are akin to the vile and ignoble individuals mentioned in the Hadith. Their dominion or rule is marked by corruption, injustice, and humiliation.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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 true honor and exaltedness are not achieved through worldly dominion or rule, but through righteousness and piety. The noble and honorable individuals, who prioritize the values and principles prescribed by Allah, are the ones who attain true honor and success in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in this Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that the dominion of the vile and corrupt individuals may seem powerful and influential in this world, but it is ultimately temporary and will lead to their own humiliation. On the other hand, the honor and exaltedness of the noble and righteous individuals may not be apparent in this worldly life, but it is everlasting and will be rewarded in the Hereafter.

This Hadith encourages Muslims to prioritize moral values and righteousness over worldly power and authority. It reminds us that true honor lies in adhering to the teachings of Islam and upholding justice, compassion, and integrity in all aspects of life. Muslims should not be swayed by the allure of worldly dominance, but rather strive to emulate the noble qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), particularly Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) who was known for his immense knowledge and wisdom.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims that the dominion of the vile and corrupt individuals may bring temporary power, but it will ultimately lead to their own humiliation. True honor and exaltedness lie in righteousness and adherence to the teachings of Islam. May we all strive to uphold noble qualities and seek the eternal honor in the Hereafter.