Hadith #6798

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 progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and treating others with the same kindness and respect that we desire for ourselves. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this impactful Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (istakbaha) "استقبح" in the Hadith means to loathe or detest. It refers to a feeling of strong disapproval or disgust towards something. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to loathe from ourselves the same qualities or actions that we find repulsive in others. This teaches us the importance of self-awareness and self-improvement.

The word (arḍa) "ارض" in the Hadith means to be pleased or satisfied. It implies that we should be content with and accept for others what we desire for ourselves. This highlights the concept of empathy and treating others with fairness and equality.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the essence of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11):

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 emphasizes the importance of not ridiculing or insulting others, as they may be better than us in the sight of Allah. It encourages us to treat others with respect and kindness, just as we would like to be treated ourselves. This aligns perfectly with the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in the Hadith.

Another verse that complements this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:8):

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

This verse highlights the importance of treating others with justice and fairness, regardless of their beliefs or actions towards us. It reminds us that Allah loves those who act justly, and by following the advice of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), we can embody this virtue in our interactions with others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their own actions and attitudes. It urges us to be self-critical and strive for self-improvement, ensuring that we do not possess qualities that we find distasteful in others. By doing so, we can cultivate a sense of humility and empathy, fostering harmonious relationships within our communities.

Moreover, this Hadith encourages us to treat others with the same kindness and respect that we desire for ourselves. It urges us to be considerate of others' feelings, needs, and aspirations. When we genuinely care for the well-being of others and seek their happiness, we contribute to the creation of a compassionate and inclusive society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of self-reflection and treating others with kindness and fairness. It reminds us to loathe from ourselves what we find repulsive in others and to like for people what we like for ourselves. By embodying these principles, we can strive towards personal growth and contribute to the betterment of society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to implement these teachings in our lives.