Hadith #10997

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, "كَمَا تَتَوَاضَعُ تَعْظَمُ۔" This Hadith can be translated as,

As you become humble, you become great.

The word (tatawaḍaʿu) "تَتَوَاضَعُ" is derived from the root word (wadaʿa) "وَضَاعَ", which means to humble oneself or to lower oneself in rank or status. The word (taʿẓamu) "تَعْظَمُ" is derived from the root word (ʿaẓuma) "عَظُمَ", which means to become great, elevated, or esteemed.

This profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of humility in attaining greatness. It teaches us that true greatness is not achieved through arrogance, pride, or seeking superiority over others. Rather, it is attained through humbling oneself before Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and recognizing our own limitations and weaknesses.

The Quranic verses also emphasize the significance of humility and its correlation with greatness. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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 reminds us that true nobility and greatness lie in righteousness and piety, not in worldly status or wealth.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:83), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

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 verse highlights that those who do not seek exaltedness or arrogance in this world, but instead strive for righteousness, will be granted the ultimate reward in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful saying serves as a reminder for Muslims to cultivate humility in their hearts and actions. When we humble ourselves before Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), we acknowledge our dependence on Him and recognize that all blessings and achievements come from Him alone. This humility allows us to develop a sense of gratitude, contentment, and empathy towards others.

Practicing humility also has practical implications in our daily lives. It enables us to treat others with kindness, respect, and fairness, regardless of their social status or background. It helps us to avoid arrogance, pride, and self-centeredness, which can lead to conflicts and divisions within society. Instead, humility fosters unity, cooperation, and compassion among Muslims.

Moreover, humility opens the doors for personal growth and self-improvement. When we humble ourselves, we become receptive to learning from others, accepting constructive criticism, and acknowledging our own mistakes. This mindset allows us to constantly strive for self-improvement and spiritual development.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true greatness lies in humility. By humbling ourselves before Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and recognizing our own limitations, we can attain spiritual elevation and righteousness. This humility enables us to treat others with kindness and fairness, fosters unity within the Muslim community, and opens the doors for personal growth and self-improvement. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody true humility and attain true greatness.