Hadith #121

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 noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he beautifully expresses the concept of the greatness of the Creator and its impact on our perception of the creation. Let us delve into the words of this Hadith and explore its deep meaning in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (greatness) "عِظَمُ", (the Creator) "الْخَالِقِ", (belittle) "يُصَغِّرُ", and (the creatures) "الْمَخْلُوقَ".

The word (greatness) "عِظَمُ" signifies the magnitude, grandeur, and vastness of something. It refers to the immense power, wisdom, and majesty of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The greatness of the Creator encompasses His infinite attributes and His ability to create and sustain everything in the universe.

The term (the Creator) "الْخَالِقِ" refers to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) as the One who brings things into existence from nothingness. He is the originator of all creation, the source of life, and the ultimate cause of everything that exists. The Creator's power and authority are unmatched, and His creative abilities are beyond human comprehension.

The word (belittle) "يُصَغِّرُ" means to diminish or reduce the importance or significance of something. In this context, it refers to the effect that recognizing and appreciating the greatness of the Creator has on our perception of the creation. When we truly understand and acknowledge the greatness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), everything else in comparison appears insignificant and small.

The term (the creatures) "الْمَخْلُوقَ" encompasses all that has been created by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), including humans, animals, plants, and the entire universe. It emphasizes the contrast between the limited and finite nature of the creation and the infinite and boundless nature of the Creator.

To further understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of His greatness and the insignificance of the creation in comparison to Him.

In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 3:189)

And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is over all things competent.

This verse highlights the vastness of Allah's dominion and His complete control over everything in the universe. It emphasizes His greatness and power as the Creator.

In Surah Al-Furqan, Allah says, (Quran 25:54)

And We have certainly created man from a sperm-drop mixture so that We may test him; and We made him hearing and seeing.

This verse reminds us of our humble origin and the fact that we are created beings with limited abilities. It highlights the contrast between the greatness of the Creator and the insignificance of the creation.

Reflecting on the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the supporting Quranic verses, we realize that recognizing and appreciating the greatness of the Creator has profound consequences for our perception of the creation. When we truly understand the magnificence and power of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), it humbles us and puts everything else into perspective.

This understanding leads to a sense of awe, gratitude, and submission to the Creator. It motivates us to strive for righteousness, to fulfill our responsibilities as stewards of the earth, and to treat the creation with kindness and compassion. It also helps us overcome arrogance, pride, and materialistic desires, as we realize that our true purpose is to worship and serve the Creator.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the profound impact that recognizing and appreciating the greatness of the Creator has on our perception of the creation. It highlights the stark contrast between the infinite power and wisdom of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the limited nature of the creation. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to truly understand and appreciate His greatness, and may it inspire us to live a life of righteousness and submission to His will.