Hadith #11006

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 pure progeny, and his noble companions.

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

بِخَفْضِ الجُناحِ تَنْتَظِمُ الأُمُورُ۔

This can be translated as,

By being humble, matters are put in order.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (khafd) "خَفْضِ" in this Hadith refers to humility or humbleness. It signifies the act of lowering oneself, both physically and spiritually, in front of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Humility is a quality that is highly regarded in Islam and is emphasized in numerous verses of the Quran.

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 highlights that true nobility lies in righteousness, not in worldly status or wealth. It is through humility and righteousness that matters are put in order, as mentioned in the Hadith.

Furthermore, the word (junah) "جُناحِ" in the Hadith refers to matters or affairs. By being humble, one can bring order and harmony to various aspects of life, including personal relationships, community affairs, and societal issues. This is because humility allows individuals to prioritize the greater good over personal ego and desires.

In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises,

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.

This verse emphasizes the importance of humility in interpersonal relationships. By being humble, we refrain from ridiculing or belittling others, recognizing that they may be better than us in the sight of Allah.

The consequences of practicing humility are far-reaching. When individuals humble themselves, they create an environment of respect, empathy, and unity. This fosters cooperation and collaboration, leading to the resolution of conflicts and the establishment of justice. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, understood the significance of humility in maintaining order and justice. He exemplified this quality throughout his life, even in the face of adversity. His humility allowed him to lead with fairness and compassion, resolving disputes and guiding the Muslim community towards righteousness.

As Muslims, we should reflect upon this Hadith and strive to embody humility in our daily lives. By doing so, we can contribute to the betterment of our families, communities, and society at large. Let us remember that true success lies not in arrogance or pride, but in humbling ourselves before Allah and seeking His pleasure. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to practice humility and bring order to our affairs.