Hadith #5148

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

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

الشَّرَفُ بِالْهِمَمِ العالِيَةِ لا بِالرِّمَمِ البالِيَةِ۔

This can be translated as,

Honor is attained by earnest endeavors not by worn-out bones [of one’s ancestors].

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The key words in this Hadith are (honor) "الشَّرَفُ", (earnest endeavors) "الهِمَمِ العالِيَةِ", and (worn-out bones) "الرِّمَمِ البالِيَةِ".

To understand the concept of honor, we turn to the Quran, where 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 honor lies in righteousness and piety, not in one's lineage or ancestry. It is the noble character and actions of an individual that determine their honor in the sight of Allah. Therefore, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true honor is not achieved through boasting about the achievements of our ancestors, but through our own efforts and righteous deeds.

The phrase "الهِمَمِ العالِيَةِ" refers to earnest endeavors or high aspirations. It highlights the importance of striving for excellence and constantly seeking improvement in all aspects of our lives. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages us to have high aspirations in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), where He says,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse teaches us to seek Allah's guidance and support in our endeavors, and to strive for excellence in our actions. It is through our sincere efforts and high aspirations that we can attain true honor and success in the eyes of Allah.

On the other hand, the phrase "الرِّمَمِ البالِيَةِ" refers to worn-out bones, symbolizing the reliance on the achievements and reputation of one's ancestors. This phrase warns against the complacency and arrogance that can arise from relying solely on the accomplishments of previous generations, without making any personal effort to uphold their legacy.

In Surah Al-An'am (6:165), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us,

And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse emphasizes that Allah has made us successors on this earth, and it is our responsibility to prove ourselves through our own actions and efforts. Relying solely on the accomplishments of our ancestors without personal growth and striving for excellence is not a source of honor in the sight of Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true honor is not inherited, but earned through our own high aspirations, sincere efforts, and righteous deeds. It is through our own struggles and endeavors that we can attain a position of honor in the sight of Allah. We should not be content with the achievements of our ancestors, but rather strive to leave our own positive impact on the world.

This Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to focus on personal growth, righteousness, and sincere efforts in order to attain true honor in the sight of Allah. It encourages us to break away from the mindset of relying solely on the achievements of our ancestors and instead strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and strength to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and strive for true honor through our own high aspirations and righteous endeavors. May we be guided by the Quran and the noble example of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his purified progeny.