Hadith #3038

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

عَلى قَدْرِ الحَمِيَّةِ تَكُونُ الغِيْرَةُ۔

This can be translated as,

It is to the extent of one’s vehemence that one is protective of his honor.

In this Hadith, there are two important words that require our attention. The first word is (hamiyah) "حَمِيَّةِ", which can be translated as "vehemence" or "intensity." It refers to the level of passion and fervor with which one guards and protects something. The second word is (ghirah) "غِيْرَةُ", which can be translated as "honor" or "self-respect." It signifies the feeling of pride and dignity that one has for oneself.

To understand the meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. 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 respecting and honoring one another. It teaches us that we should not mock or belittle others, as they may be better than us in the sight of Allah. It reminds us to treat each other with kindness and dignity, regardless of our differences.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith complements this Quranic teaching by highlighting the connection between our vehemence and our protective nature towards our honor. When we have a strong sense of self-respect and dignity, we naturally become more passionate and intense in safeguarding our honor. This vehemence acts as a shield, protecting us from any harm or disrespect that may come our way.

To illustrate this further, let us consider the example of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) from the Quran. When he was falsely accused of wrongdoing by the wife of the Aziz, he maintained his integrity and refused to compromise his honor. Despite facing immense pressure and temptation, he chose to protect his honor and maintain his righteousness. His vehemence in guarding his honor was a testament to his strong sense of self-respect and his unwavering commitment to Allah's commandments.

Similarly, as Muslims, we are encouraged to be vigilant in protecting our honor and dignity. This does not mean that we should be overly sensitive or quick to take offense, but rather that we should have a healthy level of self-respect and a firm commitment to upholding our values. We should strive to be like Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who was known for his profound knowledge and wisdom. His unwavering dedication to preserving the honor of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) serves as an inspiration for all Muslims.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that our vehemence in protecting our honor is a reflection of our self-respect and dignity. It reminds us to be vigilant in upholding our values and to strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to protect our honor and to always uphold the teachings of Islam.