Hadith #10989

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 Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "تَواضَعْ لِلّهِ يَرْفَعْكَ", which can be translated as,

Humble yourself before Allah and He will elevate you.

This enlightening Hadith emphasizes the importance of humility in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Let us delve into the meaning of key words in this Hadith. (tawāḍaʿ) "تَواضَعْ" means to humble oneself, to lower oneself in status or rank, and to submit to the will of Allah. It is an act of recognizing our own insignificance and acknowledging the greatness of Allah. (yarfaʿka) "يَرْفَعْكَ" means to elevate, to raise in rank or status. It signifies that when we humble ourselves before Allah, He will raise us in His sight and grant us honor and success.

The concept of humility is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the virtue of humility and warns against arrogance. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah 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 highlights that true nobility lies in righteousness and piety, not in worldly status or wealth. It is a reminder to Muslims to be humble and to value each other based on their character and actions.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), 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 seek power, status, or worldly gains, but instead focus on righteousness and piety, will be granted the best outcome in the Hereafter. It is a reminder to Muslims to prioritize their spiritual growth and to avoid the pitfalls of arrogance and pride.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a practical guide for Muslims to attain success and honor in the sight of Allah. By humbling ourselves before Allah, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and submit to His will. This humility is not a sign of weakness, but rather a manifestation of our trust and reliance on Allah's infinite wisdom and power.

When we humble ourselves before Allah, we detach ourselves from the worldly desires and ego-driven pursuits that often lead to arrogance and pride. Instead, we focus on cultivating qualities such as gratitude, patience, and kindness, which are pleasing to Allah. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

The consequences of practicing humility are profound. When we humble ourselves before Allah, He elevates us in His sight and grants us success and honor. This elevation may manifest in various ways, such as increased blessings in our lives, spiritual growth, and the ability to positively influence others. Moreover, humility allows us to build stronger relationships with our fellow Muslims, as it fosters an environment of mutual respect and empathy.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the exemplary humility of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). His profound knowledge, wisdom, and piety were accompanied by a deep sense of humility. Despite his elevated status as the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) never allowed pride or arrogance to taint his character. He always attributed his knowledge and achievements to the grace of Allah and remained humble before Him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to practice humility in their lives. By humbling ourselves before Allah, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. This humility leads to elevation in the sight of Allah and grants us success and honor. May Allah guide us all to embody the virtue of humility and grant us His mercy and blessings.