Hadith #6519

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "المُعْجِبُ لاعَقْلَ لَهُ۔" This can be translated as,

The self-admiring one has no intelligence.

In this enlightening saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the detrimental nature of self-admiration and its impact on one's intellect.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. "المُعْجِبُ" refers to someone who is self-admiring or self-conceited. This person is excessively preoccupied with their own qualities, achievements, or appearance, leading to arrogance and a lack of humility. "لاعَقْلَ لَهُ" means that such an individual lacks intelligence or wisdom. Their self-admiration blinds them to their own shortcomings and prevents them from seeking knowledge and guidance.

This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of humility and warns against arrogance. 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 ayat reminds us to avoid belittling others and to recognize that superiority lies not in our own self-perceived greatness, but in our piety and righteousness. By mocking or ridiculing others, we display arrogance and disregard for the inherent worth and potential that every individual possesses.

Another verse that sheds light on the wisdom behind Imam Ali's statement is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.

This ayat emphasizes the importance of humility and contentment in this worldly life. Those who are constantly seeking self-admiration and exaltedness in this world are neglecting the greater reward and eternal abode that Allah has promised to the righteous. Their lack of intelligence lies in their failure to recognize the transient nature of worldly achievements and the ultimate purpose of their existence.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to cultivate humility and avoid falling into the trap of self-admiration. When we become too absorbed in our own accomplishments, we become blinded to our flaws and fail to recognize the areas in which we need improvement. This hinders our intellectual growth and prevents us from seeking knowledge and guidance from Allah's teachings.

Furthermore, self-admiration can lead to arrogance, which is condemned in Islam. Arrogance is a barrier to spiritual growth and prevents us from developing a strong relationship with Allah. It is only through humility and recognizing our own limitations that we can truly submit to Allah's will and seek His guidance.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to avoid self-admiration and cultivate humility. By recognizing the transient nature of worldly achievements and the importance of seeking knowledge and guidance, we can develop true intelligence and wisdom. May Allah guide us all on the path of humility and grant us the ability to recognize and overcome our own shortcomings.