Hadith #10478

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,

مَنْ أكْرَمَ نَفْسَهُ أهانَتْهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who honours his [carnal] soul is abased by it.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us examine the key words and their implications.

The word (akrama) "أكْرَمَ" means to honor, respect, or dignify. It signifies giving importance and value to one's own self. The term (nafsahu) "نَفْسَهُ" refers to the carnal soul or the ego. It represents the lower desires and inclinations within a person.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us that if we prioritize and elevate our own desires and ego above everything else, it will ultimately lead to our degradation and humiliation. This Hadith emphasizes the importance of humility, selflessness, and the rejection of self-centeredness.

To further understand the wisdom behind this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states in Surah Al-Isra (17:37),

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 reminds us of the fleeting nature of worldly achievements and the insignificance of our own self-importance. It cautions against arrogance and pride, as they lead to downfall and humiliation. By honoring our ego and prioritizing our own desires, we are essentially exalting ourselves above the limits set by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Another verse that sheds light on the meaning of this Hadith 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.'

The story of Qarun serves as a cautionary tale of a person who became consumed by his own wealth and power, leading to his ultimate downfall and humiliation. This verse highlights the consequences of arrogance and self-glorification, reminding us that true honor lies in humility and submission to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over the desires of our ego. When we elevate our own self-importance, we become blinded by our own desires and lose sight of the true purpose of our existence - to worship and serve Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

By humbling ourselves and recognizing our own limitations, we open ourselves up to the mercy and guidance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This humility allows us to seek knowledge, strive for self-improvement, and develop a deep connection with our Creator. It enables us to overcome the destructive influence of our ego and live a life of righteousness and piety.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to prioritize the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) over the desires of our ego. By honoring our own self-importance, we risk falling into arrogance and pride, which ultimately leads to our degradation and humiliation. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and humility to overcome the influence of our ego and seek His pleasure in all aspects of our lives.