Hadith #9054

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "مَنْ تَكَبَّرَ حُقِّرَ۔" This can be translated as,

One who becomes arrogant is abased.

In this impactful Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of arrogance and emphasizes the importance of humility in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. (takabbara) "تَكَبَّرَ" refers to the act of becoming arrogant or displaying pride. It is a state of considering oneself superior to others and looking down upon them. On the other hand, (huqqira) "حُقِّرَ" means to be humiliated or debased. It signifies the consequence of arrogance, where one is brought low and loses their honor and dignity.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of humility and warn against arrogance. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 reminds us to avoid belittling or mocking others, as they may be better than us in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It teaches us to treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their status or background. By doing so, we uphold the value of humility and protect ourselves from falling into the trap of arrogance.

Another verse that sheds light on the consequences of arrogance is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, Qarun was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, 'Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant.'

This verse narrates the story of Qarun, who was blessed with immense wealth and power but allowed arrogance to consume him. As a result, he was ultimately humiliated and destroyed. The example of Qarun serves as a warning to us, reminding us of the dire consequences that await those who indulge in arrogance and pride.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith echoes the teachings of the Quran, emphasizing the importance of humility and the dangers of arrogance. When a person becomes arrogant, they distance themselves from the path of righteousness and invite humiliation upon themselves. Arrogance blinds individuals to their own faults and prevents them from seeking guidance and improvement. It creates a barrier between them and Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), as they fail to recognize their own weaknesses and submit to His will.

On the other hand, humility is a quality highly regarded in Islam. It is through humility that one recognizes their dependence on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and acknowledges their own limitations. Humility allows a person to seek knowledge, accept advice, and treat others with kindness and respect. It is a virtue that brings one closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and earns His favor.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ),

One who becomes arrogant is abased,

serves as a reminder for Muslims to cultivate humility in their hearts and avoid the destructive path of arrogance. By recognizing our own weaknesses and treating others with respect, we can strive to attain the true essence of Islam and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from arrogance and guide us on the path of humility.