Hadith #9696

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 word (al-muru'ah) "المروءة" in this hadith refers to magnanimity or nobility of character. It encompasses qualities such as honor, generosity, bravery, and righteousness. It is the embodiment of noble traits and virtuous conduct. The word (tahuth) "تحث" means to impel or urge, indicating that magnanimity is a driving force that compels one towards adopting and practicing noble qualities.

The concept of magnanimity and its importance in Islam can be found in various verses of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177):

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East or the West, but righteous is the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

This verse emphasizes the importance of righteousness and selflessness, which are integral components of magnanimity. It teaches us that true righteousness lies in fulfilling our obligations towards Allah and His creation, including acts of charity, kindness, and fulfilling our promises. This exemplifies the noble traits that magnanimity urges us to embody.

Another verse that highlights the significance of magnanimity is found 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 reminds us that true nobility lies in righteousness and piety. It emphasizes that our worth and status in the sight of Allah is determined by our character and actions, not by our lineage, wealth, or worldly achievements. Magnanimity, therefore, urges us to strive for righteousness and virtue in order to attain true nobility in the sight of Allah.

The hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of magnanimity in shaping our character and behavior. It serves as a reminder that noble traits are not only commendable but also essential for a Muslim to possess. When we embody magnanimity, we are motivated to act with honor, generosity, and righteousness in all aspects of our lives.

For example, a magnanimous person will be generous in giving to those in need, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Isra (17:80):

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.

A magnanimous person will also be brave and courageous in standing up for justice and defending the oppressed, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Nisa (4:135):

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.

Furthermore, magnanimity motivates us to be honest, trustworthy, and fulfill our promises, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:1):

O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts. Lawful for you are the animals of grazing livestock except for that which is recited to you [in this Qur'an] - hunting not being permitted while you are in the state of ihram. Indeed, Allah ordains what He intends.

In conclusion, the hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to strive for magnanimity and noble traits. It urges us to embody honor, generosity, bravery, and righteousness in our character and actions. By doing so, we not only fulfill our obligations towards Allah and His creation but also attain true nobility in the sight of Allah. May Allah grant us the ability to cultivate magnanimity within ourselves and strive towards noble traits.