Hadith #6507

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ كَثُرَ إعْجابُهُ قَلَّ صَوابُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One whose self-admiration increases, his correctness reduces.

Let us delve into the profound meanings of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (i'jabuhu) "إعْجابُهُ" in this Hadith refers to self-admiration or being pleased with oneself. It signifies a state of excessive pride and arrogance, where one becomes infatuated with their own abilities, knowledge, or achievements. This self-admiration can lead to a decline in one's correctness or accuracy in their actions, decisions, and judgments.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that caution against the dangers of arrogance and self-admiration. In Surah Al-Isra (17:37), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 that no matter how great our accomplishments may be, we should not let them inflate our egos to the point of arrogance. Our abilities and achievements are ultimately limited and insignificant compared to the vastness of Allah's creation.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

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 became arrogant due to his wealth and power, leading to his downfall. It serves as a reminder that material possessions and worldly achievements should not be a source of pride and self-admiration.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith highlights the negative consequences of excessive self-admiration. When one becomes too enamored with themselves, their ability to make correct decisions and judgments diminishes. This is because arrogance blinds a person to their own shortcomings and prevents them from seeking guidance and advice from others. They become closed-minded and resistant to constructive criticism, leading to errors and mistakes in their actions and decisions.

For example, imagine a person who is highly knowledgeable in a particular field. If they become excessively proud of their knowledge and believe that they are always right, they may dismiss alternative perspectives or overlook important details. This can lead to flawed conclusions and incorrect judgments. On the other hand, a humble person who recognizes the limitations of their knowledge and seeks guidance from others is more likely to make accurate and informed decisions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to guard against the trap of self-admiration and arrogance. It calls us to cultivate humility and recognize that true wisdom and correctness come from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). We should always be open to learning, seeking knowledge, and seeking guidance from those who are more knowledgeable and experienced than us.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the dangers of excessive self-admiration and its negative impact on our correctness. It reminds us to remain humble, seek knowledge, and be open to guidance from others. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of arrogance and make sound decisions that are pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) protect us from the traps of self-admiration and grant us the wisdom to always seek His guidance.