Hadith #8488

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إذا تَفَقَّهَ الوَضيعُ تَرَفَّعَ۔

This can be translated as,

When the vile one becomes a scholar, he considers himself to be above [others].

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (tafaqqaha) "تَفَقَّهَ" is derived from the root word (faqaha) "فَقَهَ", which means to understand or comprehend. It refers to the acquisition of knowledge and understanding in a particular field. The word (al-wadi') "الوَضيعُ" refers to someone who is vile, lowly, or base in character. And the word (taraffa'a) "تَرَفَّعَ" means to elevate oneself or consider oneself superior.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us 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 not in one's lineage, wealth, or social status, but in righteousness and piety. It is the character and actions of an individual that determine their worth in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Therefore, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns against the arrogance and pride that can arise when a person of low character acquires knowledge.

When a vile person attains knowledge, they may mistakenly believe that they are superior to others. They may use their knowledge to belittle and demean those around them, considering themselves intellectually superior. This attitude goes against the teachings of Islam, which emphasize humility, compassion, and the recognition of the inherent worth of every individual.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us 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 highlights the importance of treating others with respect and refraining from arrogance or mockery. It reminds us that we should not judge others based on their outward appearance or social status, as true worth lies in one's character and actions.

The consequences of a vile person considering themselves superior due to their acquired knowledge can be detrimental. It can lead to the division and disunity within the Muslim community, as arrogance creates a barrier between individuals. It can also hinder the growth and progress of society, as the knowledge acquired by such individuals may not be utilized for the betterment of humanity, but rather for personal gain or to assert dominance over others.

On the other hand, a person of noble character who acquires knowledge remains humble and uses their knowledge to benefit others. They recognize that knowledge is a gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and a means to serve humanity. They understand that true superiority lies in using their knowledge to promote justice, compassion, and the well-being of all.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the dangers of arrogance and pride that can arise when a person of low character acquires knowledge. It emphasizes the importance of humility, respect, and recognizing the inherent worth of every individual. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to seek knowledge with sincerity and use it for the betterment of ourselves and society, and protect us from the pitfalls of arrogance.