Hadith #6516

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us against two dangerous traits: self-conceit and love for praise. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to stay away from these traits as they are the strongest opportunities for Satan to mislead us.

Let us first examine the key words in this Hadith. The term (self-conceit) "إعْجاب" refers to being excessively pleased with oneself, considering oneself superior, and being arrogant. It is a state of inflated ego and pride. The term (love for praise) "حُبَّ الإطْراءِ" refers to seeking validation and admiration from others, desiring their approval and compliments.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Isra (17:37), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against arrogance and self-conceit, saying,

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 insignificance of our achievements and the need to humble ourselves before Allah.

Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:76), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against seeking praise from others, saying,

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.'

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice is rooted in the teachings of the Quran. Self-conceit and love for praise lead to arrogance and a false sense of superiority. They blind us to our own flaws and prevent us from seeking improvement. Satan takes advantage of these traits, whispering into our hearts and leading us astray from the path of righteousness.

When we become self-conceited, we fail to recognize our own weaknesses and become complacent in our spiritual journey. We may start to believe that we are above reproach and that our actions are always righteous. This arrogance hinders our growth and prevents us from seeking forgiveness and guidance from Allah.

Likewise, when we seek praise from others, we become dependent on their validation for our self-worth. We may compromise our principles and values in order to gain their approval. This love for praise can lead us to engage in actions solely for the purpose of receiving compliments, rather than for the sake of pleasing Allah.

The consequences of self-conceit and love for praise are detrimental to our spiritual well-being. They distance us from Allah and lead us away from the path of righteousness. They prevent us from recognizing our own faults and seeking repentance. Moreover, they create divisions among Muslims, as we become preoccupied with comparing ourselves to others and seeking superiority over them.

To protect ourselves from these dangers, we must cultivate humility and seek Allah's pleasure above all else. We should strive to recognize our own shortcomings and constantly seek self-improvement. Instead of seeking praise from others, we should focus on pleasing Allah and seeking His approval. By doing so, we can safeguard ourselves from the traps of Satan and remain steadfast on the path of righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims to avoid self-conceit and love for praise. These traits are the strongest opportunities for Satan to mislead us and hinder our spiritual growth. By heeding the advice of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and seeking humility and Allah's pleasure, we can protect ourselves from the dangers of arrogance and seeking validation from others. May Allah guide us all and protect us from the whispers of Satan.