Hadith #1903

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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,

كَمْ مِنْ عَزير أذَلَّهُ جَهْلُهُ۔

This can be translated into English as,

Many a revered person has been humiliated by his ignorance.

Let us delve into the key words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding. The word (azeez) "عَزِير" refers to someone who is highly respected, esteemed, or revered. It signifies a person who holds a position of honor and dignity in the eyes of others. On the other hand, (adhallah) "أَذَلَّهُ" means to humiliate, degrade, or lower someone's status. Lastly, (jahluhu) "جَهْلُهُ" refers to ignorance or lack of knowledge.

To shed light on the profound wisdom behind this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of knowledge and warns against the perils of ignorance in several verses. For instance, in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah says,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse highlights the significance of verifying information and seeking knowledge before passing judgment or taking action. Ignorance can lead to harmful consequences, causing harm to others and regret for oneself. Similarly, in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11), Allah states,

O you who have believed, when you are told, 'Space yourselves' in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you. And when you are told, 'Arise,' then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

This verse emphasizes the elevated status of those who possess knowledge. It highlights that knowledge is a means of elevation and honor in the sight of Allah. Those who possess knowledge are granted a higher rank and are raised in their status. Conversely, those who lack knowledge may find themselves humiliated or lowered in their position.

Reflecting upon the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses, we can understand that ignorance can lead to the humiliation and degradation of even the most revered individuals. No matter how respected or esteemed someone may be in society, if they lack knowledge, they are susceptible to humiliation and the loss of their esteemed position. This serves as a reminder to Muslims to prioritize seeking knowledge and to never underestimate the importance of continuous learning and personal growth.

Furthermore, this Hadith serves as a motivation for Muslims to strive for knowledge and to avoid being complacent in their understanding. It encourages us to constantly seek knowledge, not only to elevate ourselves but also to avoid the potential humiliation that ignorance can bring. By acquiring knowledge, we can protect ourselves from being misled, making uninformed decisions, and causing harm to others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the profound consequences of ignorance. It serves as a call to action for Muslims to prioritize seeking knowledge, both religious and worldly, in order to safeguard ourselves from humiliation and to elevate our status in the sight of Allah. May Allah grant us the wisdom and understanding to seek knowledge and protect us from the perils of ignorance.