Hadith #8320

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he emphasizes the importance of true virtues and qualities that one should boast about. He highlights that boasting should not be based on one's lineage or inherited traits, but rather on three significant aspects: the greatest effort, keeping promises, and being overly generous.

Let us delve deeper into the words used in this Hadith to gain a better understanding. The word (tafakur) "تَفَاخُرُ" refers to boasting or pride, while (himam) "هِمَمِ" signifies the greatest effort or determination. (wafa) "وَفَاءِ" means fulfilling promises, and (dhamm) "ذَمَمِ" refers to worn-out bones or ancestors. Lastly, (karam) "كَرَمِ" denotes generosity, and (shiyam) "شِيَمِ" signifies evil traits.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13):

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that true nobility and superiority lie in righteousness and piety, not in one's lineage or ancestry. It aligns perfectly with Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teachings in the Hadith, where he discourages boasting about one's ancestors or inherited traits.

Furthermore, the Quran also emphasizes the importance of fulfilling promises. In Surah Al-Isra (17:34), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And fulfill every commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.

This verse reminds us of the significance of keeping our promises and fulfilling our commitments. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) echoes this sentiment in the Hadith, emphasizing the importance of being trustworthy and reliable.

Moreover, the Quran encourages generosity and kindness towards others. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.

This verse highlights the immense reward and blessings that come with generosity. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the need to be overly generous, going above and beyond in acts of kindness and charity.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to focus on true virtues and qualities that bring them closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It teaches us that boasting should be about our greatest efforts, fulfilling promises, and being excessively generous, rather than relying on our lineage or displaying evil traits. By following these teachings, we can strive to become better individuals and contribute positively to society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us the ability to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).